Canada Regains Market Access for Live Swine to Chile

Jun 15, 2015

Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Harper Government has re-established market access to Chile for live swine, a market that industry estimates was worth approximately $350,000 in 2013. Canada had been Chile's main supplier of live swine for over 10 years, prior to 2014 when Chile temporarily suspended imports of live swine and porcine blood products from countries with reported outbreaks of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), including Canada.

Chile is an important trading partner for Canada and today's announcement is also an example of our commitment to increasing opportunities for Canadian exporters in Latin America, pursuant to Canada's Strategy for Engagement in the Americas and Global Markets Action Plan.

Quick facts

Chile is a priority market under Canada's Global Markets Action Plan with two way merchandise trade reaching $2.86 billion in 2014.
Canadian merchandise exports to Chile in 2014 reached $1.14 billion, an increase of 42 percent over 2013.

Source: AAFC

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.