Canadian Wild Pig Summit 2026 puts prevention and outbreak readiness in focus

Lessons from Canada and abroad offer practical insights for protecting pigs, producer livelihoods and Canada’s pork sector.

Invasive wild pigs threaten Canadian livestock production, agricultural lands, and native ecosystems, including through their potential to spread serious animal diseases such as African swine fever. Eradicating these populations requires sustained, coordinated efforts across Canada to prevent their spread, reduce disease risks, and protect agricultural and natural resources.

That focus brought more than 240 participants together in person and virtually for the Canadian Wild Pig Summit 2026, held October 27–28 in Brandon, Manitoba.

Canadian and international experts explored wild pig management, surveillance and readiness for an ASF detection. For producers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, industry organizations and governments, the discussions offered insights to help assess current approaches, identify gaps and strengthen preparedness.

Highlights included:

• Canadian perspectives: Provincial and territorial representatives shared wild pig management approaches, lessons learned and next steps.
• International experience: Missouri’s approach to measuring success, wild pig eradication on Australia’s Kangaroo Island, and lessons from Sweden’s ASF response.
• Practical preparedness: CanSpotASF surveillance, field tools and technology, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s wild pig surveillance and response strategy, and Manitoba’s wild pig emergency response plan.

“Protecting Canada's livestock sector and natural ecosystems from invasive wild pigs starts with prevention,” said Dr. Cassidy Klima, Executive Director of Animal Health Canada. “This Summit brought together experience from across Canada and internationally to help strengthen eradication efforts, improve surveillance, and prepare for the disease risks wild pigs pose.”

Learn more about CanSpotASF and its early detection surveillance tools, including resources for producers and veterinarians.

Animal Health Canada thanks all speakers, participants, Assiniboine College, Squeal on Pigs Manitoba and Manitoba Pork for their attendance, collaboration, and support.