Scientific testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) cannot confirm a link between feed containing blood plasma and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) cases in Canada.
As reported in February, the CFIA conducted a bioassay study on U.S.-origin porcine blood plasma used in feed pellets produced by Grand Valley Fortifiers.
The study demonstrated that the porcine blood plasma in question contained PEDv virus capable of causing disease in pigs. However, the study could not demonstrate that the feed pellets containing the blood plasma were capable of causing disease.
The CFIA will continue to analyze feed and feed ingredients, as well as epidemiological information gathered during the investigation, in order to verify that CFIA controls continue to protect Canadian livestock. In addition, the CFIA will examine any new lines of enquiry related to feed that may emerge, in particular from ongoing testing in Canada and the U.S.
In response to the positive test results in porcine blood plasma, the CFIA:
- Activated its National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) to coordinate the feed investigation
- Followed up with farms that received the affected feed to confirm the voluntary withdrawal was effective
- Provided science-based guidance on disposing of potentially affected feed
- Worked closely with U.S. officials to confirm that none of the affected plasma was shipped to other pig feed manufacturers in Canada
- Led ongoing briefings with provincial and territorial Chief Veterinary Officers and key industry stakeholders
The CFIA’s investigation also included sampling and testing of feed, plasma and other feed ingredients from various Canadian and U.S. sources associated with farms in Canada on which PEDv has been detected. All test results on these samples were negative for PEDv.
