The Federal Agriculture Minister has cleared the way for veterinarians to import a tool to be used in the effort to contain Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea.

Vets can start importing the iPED+ vaccine as soon as they have a permit from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

According to preliminary studies pigs who are vaccinated develop antibodies against PED.

In a statement, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says this is the latest measure to stop PED from spreading.

“Our Government remains committed to ensuring the health of Canada’s valuable agriculture sector. Today’s (Thursday’s) announcement is another step in the CFIA‘s continuous efforts to work with the provinces to prevent PED from spreading in Canada,” said Ritz.

The Canadian Pork Council’s Chair Jean-Guy Vincent says this gives them another tool to assist them.

“Farmers need access to whatever tools are available to fight this virus. Producers appreciate the work by both federal and provincial governments to support the industry and need to emphasize that producers need to do everything they can on farm through their due diligence and bio-security efforts limit the spread of the PED virus.”

The measure comes as the Chief Veterinary Officer of Canada works with counterparts across the country as well as the industry to contain the virus.

Five cases have had surfaced in Ontario as of Saturday.  

The latest confirmed case is in Simcoe County.

It will only be allowed to be used under veterinarian supervision in pigs as a precautionary measure against PED.