January 23, 2025

Canada to hold cross-border tabletop exercise on ASF with USDA

The World Organisation for Animal Health has been informed by Canada's delegate to WOAH and Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Mary Jane Ireland,  that a cross-border tabletop exercise on African swine fever will take place on January 29 in the country.

The exercise will focus on the operational and administrative steps needed to resume live animal exports following a simulated ASF detection. It will be hosted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), with support from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The exercise will test how the CFIA and USDA apply bilateral zoning arrangements by:

    - Clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the CFIA, USDA, provincial/territorial/state officials, as well as industry stakeholders;

    - Practising the process of re-opening the Canada-United States border to animals sourced from disease-free zones once zoning recognition is in effect;

    - Assessing the impact of supply and demand for live feeder swine on both sides of the border;

    - Identifying strengths and challenges in achieving a timely, safe resumption of live feeder swine trade following an ASF detection.

- WOAH