(VDL.umn.edu)

Ontario hogs confirmed with senecavirus

A hog virus watched closely in North America for its strong family resemblance to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has turned up in hogs in Ontario. Officials with hog industry body Ontario Pork reported Monday that senecavirus A, formerly called Seneca Valley virus or SVV, has been confirmed in the province. Neighbouring industry body Manitoba Pork said […] Read more



(CIA.gov)

Switzerland to recognize Canada’s organic wine, processed foods

Canada and Switzerland have reached a deal to recognize each other’s organic certifications on wine and “multi-ingredient” foods. The two countries on Thursday announced expansions of their previous organic arrangement, which deems their respective certification systems to be equivalent for organic ag commodities and agrifood products. The amended deal takes effect Saturday (Oct. 1). The […] Read more

Shoal Lake Wild Rice, whose processing facility just east of Winnipeg is shown here in 2014, is one of several firms exporting Canadian-grown wild rice to buyers worldwide. (Manitoba Co-operator photo by Shannon VanRaes)

Systems set to ship Canadian wild rice to China

Canadian wild rice producers, warehousers and processors interested in exporting to China now have a certification system in place to do so, clearing the way for Chinese market access. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Thursday released details of a new certification program in which the agency can approve Canadian wild rice processing, warehousing and […] Read more


Though no on-farm cases have yet been confirmed in the province, an environmental finding shows Alberta hogs are still being exposed to PED.

Another close call for Alberta’s hog sector

The deadly virus was recently found in a transport trailer that was supposed to have been disinfected before crossing the border

Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta hog producers are being warned to stay vigilant following the recent discovery of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in a livestock trailer. The “weak” positive sample was found in a trailer during routine monitoring several weeks ago. “What it means for us is that we are still being exposed to the PED virus through […] Read more

(Gloria Solano-Aguilar photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Fines now an option for pig traceability enforcement

Canadian hog producers who don’t follow the federal requirements for animal identification and tracking of animal movements could now be fined for non-compliance, though it’s expected such fines would be a “last resort.” The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Wednesday announced new amendments to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations, allowing CFIA-designated officials […] Read more



(Stephen Ausmus photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Last avian flu-related block on U.S. poultry lifted

The last of Canada’s temporary avian flu-related rules against cross-border travellers bringing in poultry and/or eggs from the U.S. has been lifted. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, live birds, raw poultry, eggs and certain other raw or less-than-cooked poultry products originating in Indiana may again be brought into Canada. Lifted effective June 27, […] Read more