Canada has re-established market access to Chile for live swine, a market that the industry estimates was worth approximately CA$350,000 (US$284,757) in 2013. Canada had been Chile's main supplier of live swine for more than 10 years, prior to 2014 when Chile temporarily suspended imports of live swine and porcine blood products from countries – including Canada -- with reported outbreaks of the porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus.
"Our government continues to work closely with industry to open, re-open and expand new markets for our quality Canadian products,” said Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Gerry Ritz. “By increasing trade and ensuring producers can earn their living from the marketplace, we are creating more jobs, growth and prosperity for all Canadians."
Nancy Weicker, executive director of Canadian Swine Exporters Association, applauded the Canadian government for successfully negotiating a revised health certificate for live swine, after the temporary suspension of the health certificate with Chile in 2014.
“Canadian swine exporters will now have market access to supply Chile with our high-health quality swine genetics. Chile has been a steady market for Canadians over the past few years, with an estimated value of exports of live swine of close to $1 million," said Weicker.
Canada’s first case of PED virus was reported in January 2014, months after the first case of the virus had been reported in the United States.
