The Government of Canada announced the successful completion of negotiations with Japan on the implementation of an ASF zoning arrangement. The agreement forms an important part of Canada’s preparedness strategy for potential animal disease outbreaks and is designed to minimize trade disruptions should ASF occur.
Under the new arrangement, Canadian pork exports to Japan will be permitted from areas officially recognized as ASF-free, even if certain regions of the country become affected by the disease.
This is particularly significant for the Canadian pork industry, as Japan remains one of its most important export destinations. In 2025, Canadian exports of pork and pork products to Japan were valued at approximately CAD 1.8 billion, accounting for 31% of the total value of the sector’s exports.
Although Canada remains free of African swine fever, the continued global spread of the disease has prompted the country to strengthen its preparedness and response mechanisms against potential threats.
Canadian authorities emphasize that securing zoning agreements is a key component of the national ASF preparedness plan. Such arrangements are consistent with international standards and help maintain safe trade even in the event of localized disease outbreaks.
The agreement is the result of long-term technical cooperation and ongoing engagement between Canadian and Japanese government authorities at multiple levels.
With the addition of Japan, Canada now has ASF zoning arrangements in place with eight trading partners. These include the United States, the European Union, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, and Japan.
Together, these markets account for nearly 69% of the total value of Canadian pork exports, significantly enhancing the sector’s resilience against potential disease-related trade disruptions.
Industry experts note that such agreements are becoming increasingly important for pork-exporting countries as ASF continues to spread globally. Zoning arrangements help prevent the complete closure of export markets and allow international trade to continue even when outbreaks are limited to specific regions.
PigUA.info, based on 3tres3.com