Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 2/20/14


The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is conducting science-based testing to determine if feed may be a contributing factor in the current Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) situation.

In a statement, CFIA said testing has determined that PEDv was present in samples of U.S.-origin plasma obtained at the third-party manufacturer for Cambridge, Ontario-based Grand Valley Fortifiers. This plasma was used as an ingredient in feed pellets produced by the company. Testing with a swine bioassay has determined that the plasma ingredient contains PED virus capable of causing disease in pigs.

As a precautionary measure, on Feb. 9, Grand Valley Fortifiers issued a voluntary recall for certain pelleted swine nursery feed products containing porcine plasma, according to CFIA.
PEDv poses no risk to human health or food safety.

Further testing will be done to assess if the feed pellets are capable of causing disease in piglets, and results are expected within days. Testing will continue to determine if there is a direct link between the feed and the spread of the disease, as the virus is only confirmed in a single ingredient at this time.
The CFIA is working closely with the company to confirm the effectiveness of the recall and is closely examining company records to see where potentially affected product was distributed.

The CFIA is also reviewing records of other imports of swine plasma and will work with the Council of Chief Veterinary Officers and the pork industry in Canada to proactively manage the possible risk of transmission through feed.

As the investigation continues, additional actions such as recalls may be necessary to minimize the potential that feed could contribute to the transmission of this disease in Canada, according to CFIA.

Grand Valley Fortifiers statement
Grand Valley Fortifiers issued the following statement:
On February 9th Grand Valley Fortifiers issued a recall and a promise to fully refund our pelleted nursery feeds that contained blood plasma ingredients. This difficult decision was made because we recognized that several of our clients were being affected by the PED virus. When we made that decision there was no conclusive evidence that we were part of the contamination chain, but we acted as quickly as possible to protect our customers and the swine industry. As additional cases have been confirmed over the last week, we now believe that Grand Valley Fortifiers may have received contaminated blood plasma from a major North American manufacturer, and our hearts and prayers go out to all those who are now struggling with us to fight this new and aggressive virus.

From the beginning we have fostered a transparent working relationship with veterinarians and government authorities including The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and The Canadian Food Inspection Agency. They share our goals of containing the PED virus and protecting our swine industry and after the first case was confirmed on January 23rd there was extensive surveillance sampling done on many industry connected sites and businesses. On Friday January 31st, when we first suspected a possible link between the spread of the virus and Grand Valley Fortifiers’ customers, we welcomed OMAF staff to swab our delivery vehicles. All fifty five swabs tested negative for PED virus, confirming that our delivery truck bio-security protocols were sound.

On Thursday February 6th Dr. Doug MacDougald from South West Ontario Veterinary Services and the OMAF epidemiological team received new and surprising information from an unrelated incident that the virus may be able to be transmitted through feed. Grand Valley Fortifiers therefore assisted OMAF in gathering 76 pelleted nursery feed samples and six blood plasma samples for PCR testing purposes.

These samples were submitted to the lab Thursday night. On the night of Saturday February 8th, we were informed that five of the six blood plasma samples and three of the 76 pelleted nursery feed samples tested positive for PED virus RNA. While these positive tests of PED virus RNA did not scientifically prove that the virus was being transmitted through feed, we decided that night to recall the pelleted nursery feeds containing blood plasma and issue a press release the following morning. In subsequent retesting by OMAF it was confirmed that all six blood plasma samples tested positive for the PED virus RNA but all of the pelleted nursery feed samples tested negative. PCR testing of additional samples continues.

We are doing everything we can to work with the government authorities to conclusively determine if our pelleted nursery feeds have been contaminated and unfortunately transmitted the virus to our valued farm partners. Specifically CFIA is engaged in bio-assay analysis in their Winnipeg laboratory where both the pelleted nursery feeds and the blood plasma ingredient are being fed to piglets to see whether they become infected with PED virus.

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