This public statement summarizes key findings from the strategic environmental and economic assessment (SEEA) completed in support of the Treasury Board submission on African swine fever (ASF) preparedness and disease prevention (the approved proposal).
Led by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the proposal helps to advance the Government of Canada's goals on sustainable development and climate action. This public statement explains how environmental and economic effects were considered during the proposal's development.
Summary of the approved proposal
We received funding for the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year to support a coordinated federal-provincial-industry approach to protect animal health, prevent and prepare for ASF and maintain trade continuity. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) also received funding through the proposal.
Objectives of the approved proposal
This proposal supports 5 streams of ASF prevention and preparedness:
- ASF awareness and outreach: communications campaigns to increase awareness of ASF and prevention practices
- surveillance of domestic and wild pig populations: enhanced early detection, outbreak surveillance planning and risk intelligence
- ASF response plans and simulation exercises: coordinated plans and exercises to test readiness
- trade continuity: activities such as international audits, zoning arrangements, market access efforts and the ASF Compartment Program
- ASF laboratory testing and vaccine development: expanding diagnostic capacity and supporting vaccine research
Key findings
ASF prevention and preparedness contributes to positive environmental and socio-economic outcomes. Reducing the scale and duration of outbreaks helps limit greenhouse gas emissions, protect biodiversity and maintain ecosystem stability. The proposal also supports inclusive emergency management and sustainable food systems.
Strategic environmental analysis
Effects on greenhouse gas emissions
ASF outbreaks can increase emissions through transportation, depopulation, carcass disposal and restocking. Depopulation of healthy surplus hogs, resulting from lost markets, is a major emissions source. Cease movement orders may temporarily reduce farm traffic, but overall emissions tend to rise during emergency response.
The proposed activities prioritize prevention – avoiding high-emission interventions. Rapid response capacity also helps contain spread and reduce the environmental footprint, supporting long-term sustainability in the livestock sector.
Effects on biodiversity
ASF preparedness helps limit the risk of disease transmission to wildlife. Wild pigs, an invasive species in Canada, would be managed as part of ASF control, easing pressure on native habitats. These activities align with Canada's 2030 Nature Strategy and support targets 6 and 11 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Other environmental effects
The proposal improves Canada's ability to detect and respond to ASF, promoting environmental sustainability. Enhanced surveillance – including field monitoring, risk intelligence and testing – supports early detection and reduces the need for wide-scale depopulation. Planning and exercises enable targeted, efficient responses. Awareness efforts build trust and clarify roles. Trade continuity activities encourage adherence to international environmental standards. Vaccine development adds a proactive layer of control. Monitoring and reporting mechanisms will guide continuous improvement.
Climate change impacts and adaption solutions
Climate change is increasing the risk and complexity of animal disease outbreaks. Milder winters and warmer temperatures may expand wild pig populations and extend the seasonality of soft ticks – both ASF vectors. This proposal includes enhanced surveillance, research on soft tick ecology and engagement with stakeholders to enhance wildlife monitoring.
It also includes tailored public awareness efforts and development of a federal emergency management plan to strengthen our capacity to respond to concurrent and prolonged emergencies. Business continuity planning will help us maintain operations during climate-related disruptions. Overall, these activities strengthen Canada's ability to anticipate and adapt to climate-driven animal health risks.
Effects on Canada's climate resilience
The proposal strengthens climate resilience by improving our capacity to detect, respond to and recover from ASF outbreaks. Enhanced surveillance, emergency planning, lab capacity and business continuity measures all contribute to faster containment of disease and reduced disruption to food systems, natural ecosystems and the economy.
Strategic economic analysis
A strategic economic analysis was not required for this proposal.
Cross-cutting considerations
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS)
This proposal contributes to the following FSDS goals:
- goal 2: supports a more sustainable food system by protecting the pork supply chain
- goal 3: reduces emotional and financial stress on farmers by preventing disease outbreaks
- goal 15: helps prevent ASF-related ecological disruption by protecting biodiversity
Public perspectives
The proposal is expected to be positively received by Canadians, stakeholders and industry. There is strong public support for proactive measures that protect animal health, food supply and the environment. Emphasizing prevention and preparedness – including communication, surveillance and rapid response – aligns with public expectations for transparency and responsible risk management. Investments in lab capacity, vaccine research and trade continuity also reinforce public confidence in Canada's ability to manage animal disease threats like ASF.
Fossil fuel subsidy
No direct implications are identified within the program's scope.
Implications for sustainable jobs
No direct implications are identified within the program's scope.
Summary of how environmental and economic considerations were integrated in the proposal
Environmental and economic factors were embedded throughout the proposal. The activities – awareness, surveillance, testing, planning and lab capacity – aim to reduce emissions, protect biodiversity and support sustainable agriculture. They also strengthen food security, public trust and emergency resilience. Alignment with the FSDS further reinforce the proposal's inclusive and sustainability-focused approach.