Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bebo has announced additional funding of up to $ 31 million to increase the number of dog-detectors at Canadian airports to help prevent the illegal import of meat products when entering Canada.
This funding will allow over the course of 5 years to add another 24 teams of dog-detectors to existing ones, as a result of which the total number of teams for servicing dogs, feed and other animals will reach 39. Illegally imported meat and meat products from countries affected by African swine fever (ASF) ), represent one of the most serious risks for animals from becoming infected with this disease in Canada. Detective dogs in Canada are the best available method of intercepting meat products, making them the most effective means of protecting the ass. pigs in Canada from ASF, as well as from other animal diseases.
In the capital of Canada, Ottawa, from April 30 to May 1, 2019, the first international ASF forum will be held. In collaboration with the United States and with the support of leaders from Mexico, the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Organization for Animal Health, provincial, territorial and state partners, as well as industry, this forum will provide an opportunity to further strengthen international cooperation to prevent spread of ASF.
Although there have never been any cases of ASF in Canada, the disease continues to spread in many countries in Asia and Europe. ASF is not harmful to human health, but can be detrimental to Canada’s pig industry, which includes over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in Canada.
