PRRS-resistant pigs are now approved for sale as food and feed in Canada after rigorous and thorough review, announces Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Additionally, Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) conducted its own review of the research and data and concluded that pigs resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) may now be manufactured or imported in Canada.
“Health Canada has concluded that foods made from these pigs are as safe and nutritious for people to eat as pork currently available in Canada,” according to a Health Canada release. “The CFIA has confirmed that these pigs are also safe and effective for use in livestock feeds.”
In 2024, the Canadian swine industry generated over $6.3 billion in farm cash receipts, and Canada produced 2.34 million metric tons of pork and exported 1.45 million metric tons of pork. As of Jan. 1, 2025, there were 13.9 million hogs on 6,885 Canadian farms.
“Addressing PRRS can allow us to improve animal welfare, reduce the need for antibiotics and decrease the environmental impact of raising pigs,” says Todd Wilken, PIC director of North America sales. “In fact, recent research indicates that PRRS increases the need for antibiotics by more than two times compared to pigs without PRRS.”
Will Canadian Consumers Purchase Pork from Gene-Edited Pigs?
Research conducted by Circana and commissioned by PIC in late 2025 found there is an above-average likelihood Canadian consumers will purchase pork from gene-edited pigs, PIC reports. The research polled more than 5,000 pork consumers from eight key countries, representative across genders and ages 18 to 70.
Circana found 90% of Canadian consumers are open to purchasing pork from gene-edited pigs and responsibly reducing the need for antibiotics ranked as the top motivator.
“We have spent years conducting extensive research, validating our findings and working with the Canadian government to gain approval,” says Matt Culbertson, PIC’s chief operating officer. “Today marks a major milestone for consumers, farmers and the entire pork industry who have hoped for relief from PRRS for decades.”
Regulatory Approval In Other Countries
Genus PLC’s PRRS-resistant pigs are already permitted for food use in the U.S., Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and the Dominican Republic. This approval does not automatically trigger commercialization, PIC said on April 30, 2025, when the U.S. FDA approved the gene edit.
“We are committed to the responsible and intentional introduction of the PRRS-resistant pig around the globe. Gaining approval in Canada is an important step in this process, and we are working with additional countries to gain regulatory approval and protect global trade prior to initiating sales and delivery,” Culbertson says.
Food Labeling in Canada
The Government of Canada recognizes information about genetic engineering is important, although genetically engineered foods are considered as safe and nutritious as conventional foods. Work is underway with the Canadian General Standards Board on a public review of the National Standard for labeling and advertising of foods that are, and are not, products of genetic engineering. The CFIA uses this standard to provide its guidance to companies on the labeling of foods, it says.
In Canada, food labeling is required when there are well-established health risks or significant changes to the nutritional qualities of the food. For example, an allergen in a food must be labeled to alert consumers of the risk. Because Health Canada found no health and safety concerns, it says no special labeling is required for foods from these PRRS-resistant pigs.
“In addition to the assessments noted above, in December 2025, the New Substances program — jointly administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada — determined environmental and human health risks from indirect exposure to these pigs is no different from pigs currently available in Canada,” Health Canada notes.
