Under the agreement, if ASF were detected in Canada, trade restrictions would be limited to the affected zone rather than applied nationwide. This would allow exports of live pigs, pork and related products from regions officially recognized as ASF-free to continue. The approach is consistent with international regionalization principles and helps minimize economic losses associated with possible animal disease outbreaks.
The Philippines is one of Canada’s key trading partners for pork exports. In 2024, Canada shipped pork and pork products worth approximately CAD 279 million (about USD 202.4 million) to the Philippine market. Maintaining access to this market is therefore of strategic importance for the Canadian pork sector.
Although Canada is currently officially free of ASF, the disease continues to spread globally. African swine fever poses no risk to food safety or human health, but it is highly contagious and fatal for pigs. A potential outbreak would have serious consequences for domestic and wild pig populations, pork producers and the wider economy.
CFIA emphasizes that securing zoning arrangements in advance of any disease detection is a key element of Canada’s national biosecurity and emergency preparedness strategy. Canada continues to work closely with trading partners to support trade continuity while maintaining a high level of animal health protection.
The Philippines has been identified as a priority market under Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, and the agreement reflects close technical cooperation between the competent authorities of both countries.
With the addition of the Philippines, Canada now has seven ASF zoning arrangements in place — with the United States, the European Union, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines. Together, these markets account for nearly 40% of the total value of Canada’s pork exports, significantly reducing potential trade risks in the event of an ASF outbreak and strengthening the country’s overall preparedness through international coordination.
PigUA.info, based on feedstrategy.com