ASF Executive Management Board

ASF Executive Management Board

The ASF Executive Management Board (ASF EMB) was first established in 2019 to bring together federal, provincial, and territorial governments and industry (FPTI) representatives to provide guidance and prioritize activities to address the risk of African swine fever introduction and establishment in Canada. They set the strategy and provided guidance behind the four pillars of work listed in the Pan-Canadian ASF Action Plan on African swine fever.

Four framework pillars

Image of the four pillars found in the Pan-Canadian ASF Action Plan on African Swine Fever

  1. Enhanced biosecurity and prevention (lead by Canadian Pork Council)
  2. Preparedness planning (lead by Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
  3. Ensure business continuity (lead by Canadian Meat Council)
  4. Coordinated risk communications (lead by The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness).

Celebrating top accomplishments within the four pillars of the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on African swine fever

Structure

In April 2023, the ASF EMB divided into an executive-level Steering Committee for strategic discussion and an Advisory Committee to address project activities and progress with the project leads.

ASF EMB Steering Committee:

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
  • Canadian Meat Council (CMC)
  • Canadian Pork Council (CPC)
  • Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada (CVO)
  • Provincial Ministries of Agriculture representing five provinces

ASF EMB – Advisory Committee:

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
  • Animal Health Canada (AHC)
  • Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC)
  • Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians
  • Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
  • Canadian Meat Council (CMC)
  • Canadian Pork Council (CPC)
  • Chief Veterinary Officers (CVO) representing Western, Eastern, and Atlantic Canada • Provincial Ministries of Agriculture
  • Ex-officio members: Provincial/territorial wildlife directors, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Parks Canada, Métis National Council, Assembly of First Nations, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

Under their guidance, a number of working groups and subgroups work together to deliver solutions that enhance the ASF prevention and response planning and preparedness activities under the four pillars of the Plan.

The coordination of Canada's ASF planning, preparedness and readiness for response sits with Animal Health Canada. It works to develop connections with all levels of ASF planning including national, provincial and industry organizations within Canada. The main objective is to continue to move ASF planning and preparedness initiatives in a forward direction while ensuring that deliverables are meeting associated timelines.

Mandate

The ASF EMB’s mandate is to:

  • Inform and make recommendations to government and industry leaders on ASF planning and preparedness progress and further actions required to deliver on the ASF Framework for Action;
  • Provide science-based strategic and policy advice and recommendations, and support the delivery of solutions on animal health and welfare matters to the working level ASF groups which consist of members from Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), provinces/territories, industry and non-government stakeholders (NGS);
  • Prioritize animal health-related activities to prevent and respond to the risk of an ASF incursion into Canada;
  • Facilitate the implementation of solutions by leveraging the efforts of FPT governments, industry, academia and, as needed, other stakeholders or organizations;
  • Work with existing bodies wherever it is feasible and efficient;
  • Facilitate and/or enable collaboration across government departments, industry, academia and other stakeholders;
  • Make recommendations to the Animal Health Canada Champions Group as needed.

Core activities of the ASF EMB include:

  • Motivation of industry and government collaborators to deliver on activities required to implement the ASF Pan-Canadian Framework for Action
  • Integration and harmonization of ASF planning and preparedness activities with the U.S.A. and Mexico
  • Leadership of the 4 pillars of the ASF Pan-Canadian Framework for Action.
  • Coordinate the collaborative development and testing of a pan Canadian ASF Response Plan
  • Establish a long-term plan for the oversight, updating, maintenance, and testing of the ASF Pan-Canadian Response Plan and the ASF Pan-Canadian Framework for Action

ASF Progress Report - March 2023

In March 2023, the accomplishments of the collective FPTI members contributing to the Action Plan was captured in a 5-year progress report. The tangible results from the working group activities have led to additional recommendations to continue the important work of the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on ASF.

ASF Progress Report - March 2023

The ASF EMB is currently funded through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s African Swine Fever Industry Preparedness Program, and jointly from the Canadian Pork Council and the Canadian Meat Council.