CHARLOTTETOWN, PE, Sept. 4, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada's pork industry is an economic powerhouse. Recognizing that infectious disease is one of the major risks to swine production, the Government of Canada is helping industry further develop the tools needed to safeguard animal health, strengthen sector resilience, and support future growth.
Today, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced up to $3,111,486 for the Canadian Pork Council through the AgriAssurance Program – National Industry Association Component to advance the scope and quality of swine health surveillance in Canada.
This funding will support the development, validation, and upgrading of multiplex assay technologies, which are comprehensive lab tests that can screen for multiple domestic swine viruses from a single sample. The project also includes implementing a targeted national proficiency program to support consistent testing across veterinary labs in Canada and establishing a secure surveillance database to track swine viruses.
This investment will increase the availability of cost-effective, specific, and sensitive diagnostic testing for rapid detection of swine intestinal and respiratory viruses. The project is based at the Atlantic Veterinary College and involves collaboration with veterinary practitioners, veterinary laboratories, and industry.
Disease outbreak can have major impacts on animal welfare, food supply, productivity, producer mental health, and can result in significant economic losses. Animal health surveillance is key to early detection, preventing spread and helping to mitigate the effects that disease can have. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting resilience of the swine industry by investing in innovative solutions that enhance animal health, improve productivity and strengthen Canada's reputation as a trusted producer of high-quality pork.
Quotes
"Our pork producers care deeply about their animals and work hard to protect them against infectious diseases. By investing in swine health surveillance solutions, we are continuing to equip the industry with the tools it needs to detect and respond quickly. This funding reflects our commitment to building a resilient, innovative and globally competitive pork sector that continues to thrive for generations to come."
- The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"By enhancing surveillance and diagnostic capabilities, we're not only protecting animal health and welfare but also safeguarding the livelihoods of producers and the stability of our food supply. This project, led by the Canadian Pork Council and taking place right here at the world-class Atlantic Veterinary College, demonstrates our commitment to sector resilience and ensuring Canada remains a trusted leader in pork production."
- Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
"Early swine health detection is one of our strongest defences in protecting our herd and maintaining affordable and high-quality Canadian pork products. This $3.1 million investment will improve the speed, accuracy, and coordination of swine health surveillance by advancing innovative diagnostic tools, nationally consistent testing, and secure data systems. The Canadian Pork Council is pleased to collaborate with the Atlantic Veterinary College and partners across veterinary medicine, laboratories, industry and government to turn better surveillance into faster action and stronger protection for Canadian pork producers."
- Rene Roy, Chair, Canadian Pork Council
"This project is an important step forward in strengthening Canada's capacity to detect and monitor swine diseases. By advancing diagnostic testing, supporting a coordinated Atlantic Canada surveillance approach, and developing a national proficiency program, we can provide veterinarians and producers with reliable, timely information to help protect herd health and respond effectively to endemic and emerging disease threats."
- Elizabeth Dobbin, Principal Investigator and Director of Diagnostic Services Laboratory, Atlantic Veterinary College
Quick Facts
- The Canadian pork sector is vital to Canada's economy and rural communities, contributing an estimated 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and generating over $24 billion per year.
- The Canadian Pork Council is a federation of nine provincial pork industry associations representing more than 7,000 hog producers. Its mission is to advance, promote and protect the excellence of Canadian pork production through effective advocacy, programs and communication.
- The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a $3.5-billion, 5-year agreement (2023 to 2028), between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food, and agri‐based products sector.
- The AgriAssurance Program – National Industry Association Component funds projects, at the national level, to help industry develop, verify and integrate assurance systems to address market and regulatory requirements and enable industry to make credible, meaningful and verifiable claims about the health, safety, and quality of Canadian agriculture products.
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Contacts: For media: Jennica Klassen, [email protected], Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]
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