Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, everyone.
My name is Dr. Harpreet Kochhar. I am the acting vice-president of operations at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and chief veterinary officer for Canada, as well as the delegate for Canada to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
I am happy to have the opportunity to participate in this study, and I would like to explain the CFIA's role with respect to porcine epidemic diarrhea.
The CFIA is a science-based regulatory agency dedicated to safeguarding plants, animals and food. Our work promotes the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment and economy. Its main priority is the health and safety of Canadians.
First of all, let me assure you that Canada's animal health and food safety system remains among the best in the world. Porcine epidemic diarrhea is not a food safety risk. It does not pose a threat to human health. However, it is a disease that can limit pork production. This is because PED, as it is commonly called, can cause a significant number of deaths in very young piglets.
PED is not a federally reportable disease or federally regulated disease in Canada. However, this disease is regulated in some provinces such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and Ontario, and suspected cases of PED are reported to provincial authorities.
PED is typically transmitted from one infected pig to another. In addition to direct contact with sick animals, the PED virus can be spread through people's clothing, boots, equipment, and other items contaminated with feces of infected animals. That is why any item that comes into contact with a sick animal should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
The first case of PED in Canada on a swine farm was confirmed by the CFIA on January 24, 2014, in Ontario. Since then, PED has also been reported in Manitoba, Quebec and Prince Edward Island. Following that initial detection of PED in Canada, the CFIA has engaged and worked collaboratively with provincial and industry stakeholders to provide technical, diagnostic, and scientific support when needed or requested.
Mr. Chairman, there's a vaccine for the PED virus. To help industry respond to the threat posed by PED, the CFIA began issuing permits to allow veterinarians to import this vaccine for use in Canadian herds in 2014. Swine producers who are interested in vaccinating their herds should contact their veterinarians, because this vaccine is available. Under the leadership of the chief veterinary officer of Canada—my office—the CFIA regularly engages and works collaboratively with our provincial counterparts and industry stakeholders to facilitate a coordinated approach to this disease.
Mr. Chairman, four new cases of PED have been reported in Ontario in 2017. This brings the total to 103 cases in Ontario since the initial PED outbreak in 2014. In Manitoba there have been a total of 27 PED cases—the count is still out—since the initial outbreak in 2014, with 18 of them being reported this year.
As in the past, Manitoba's Department of Agriculture is the lead organization for the response to the most recent cases of PED in that province and is being supported by the pork industry. To address the current cases, Manitoba Agriculture and the Manitoba Pork Council are following the normal PED response protocol. The CFIA does play an active supporting role. The agency is monitoring the situation closely and communicating with Manitoba's chief veterinary officer.
The CFIA, Mr. Chairman, is also responsible for technical negotiations and for answering queries from any international trade partners with respect to PED so that we can maintain our market access. The CFIA currently requires pig transport trucks returning from a specific type of location in the United States to be cleaned and disinfected before entering Canada. This requirement reduces the risk of pig diseases being brought into Canada, including PED, which is widespread in the U.S.
It is important to note that, at this time, there is no confirmed link between the current PED cases in Manitoba and trucks coming back from the U.S. We understand that Manitoba continues its investigation into potential sources of infection.
Adequate biosecurity measures remain the first and best line of defence for pork producers to prevent introduction and spread of the PED virus. The CFIA will continue to assist with any monitoring, diagnostic and technical support, as needed.
We are also looking towards the future. We want to ensure we have very effective and efficient transportation protocols in place to protect livestock.
We have initiated discussions around transportation protocols to protect Canadian animals with a particular focus on truck washing.
Officials of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will be sitting down with their provincial counterparts over the coming months to explore potential solutions related to washing trucks that cross the border.
Thank you again for this opportunity to provide insight into the CFIA's role regarding porcine epidemic diarrhea.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.