FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2025

Second Canadian Wild Pig Summit showcases national progress to control invasive wild pigs in Canada

Elora, ON – Animal Health Canada, in partnership with Squeal on Pigs Manitoba/Manitoba Pork, is hosting the second Canadian Wild Pig Summit, bringing together wild pig control experts from across Canada to share progress in preventing, managing, and removing invasive wild pigs on the landscape.

The virtual event features updates on wild pig monitoring and control efforts, including aerial surveys, remote camera programs, environmental DNA detection, and highlights from Indigenous engagement on the Canada’s Invasive Wild Pig Strategy.

The Summit is one of several initiatives supporting the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on African Swine Fever (ASF) to enhance the national prevention, preparedness and response planning.

“Wild pigs can serve as reservoirs for diseases that threaten both wildlife and livestock, with African Swine Fever being the most significant concern," says Erica Charlton, Director of Animal Health Canada’s Emergency Management Division. "This event provides another opportunity to create a coordinated national effort to manage this invasive species and reduce the risk of diseases like ASF impacting Canada.”

With over 200 participants attending virtually from across Canada, the Canadian Wild Pig Summit II showcases the collective work to address the serious threat invasive wild pigs pose to the environment, agriculture, natural habitats, and native species.

"By working together collaboratively to share information and track national progress, we can prevent, manage, and remove invasive wild pigs from Canada," says Dr. Wayne Lees, program coordinator for Squeal on Pigs Manitoba and a veterinarian. “This is an issue with real implications for not only animal health but for ecological wellbeing across the country, and by using a One Health approach bringing together experts in different fields across the country, we can tackle the issue of wild pigs head on.”

The Canadian Wild Pig Summit II was made possible through funding by the Government of Canada under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Animal Health Canada is the only national organization that brings together industry, federal, provincial, and territorial partners to provide collaborative guidance on a cohesive, functional, and responsive farmed animal health and welfare system in Canada. For more information, visit https://animalhealthcanada.ca.

The Manitoba Invasive Swine Eradication Project, later rebranded as Squeal on Pigs Manitoba, was announced in January 2022 as a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and Manitoba Pork, through funding from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. For more information, visit squealonpigsmb.org.

For further information:
Tanya Frye
Communications Manager
Animal Health Canada
(613) 302-2671
tfrye@animalhealthcanada.ca

Joey Dearborn
Communications and Website Coordinator
Manitoba Pork
204-232-4916
jdearborn@manitobapork.com