African swine fever on-farm biosecurity

Fact: human actions are most often responsible for the spread of ASF

ASF can have a devastating effect on a swine herd. On-farm biosecurity is key to prevent diseases from developing and spreading. Here is how farmers can help:

Food and feed

ASF can be transmitted by contaminated feed or feed ingredients imported from countries where ASF is present. Contaminated food and garbage can also spread ASF.

• Source your animals, feed and feed ingredients, and any products your pigs come into contact with carefully
• Avoid bringing pork and pork by-products onto your farm
• Never feed pigs any kitchen waste (food scraps)
  • ASF is harmless to humans, but if pigs eat even a trace amount of the virus, they could be infected

Remember: It is illegal to feed meat to pigs, including all pet foods that contain meat or meat by-products.

Travellers and visitors

You must stay vigilant when it comes to visitors on your farm. All visitors and workers coming to your farm, particularly those who have visited a country that is currently infected with ASF should:

• follow strict biosecurity measures prior to returning to your farm.
• wear clean clothes and footwear.

Remember: when returning to Canada, travellers must declare at the border all farm visits and animal contact

For more guidance on on-farm disease prevention, swine producers should consult the Canadian Swine Health Board's National Swine Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard.