After protracted negotiations, Italy’s Ministry of Health has secured a new agreement with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to resume exports of Italian cured meats from regions previously restricted due to African swine fever.
“This is an outstanding result, the culmination of a complex and lengthy negotiation carried out with great professionalism and dedication, aided by the crucial support of the European Commission,” said Davide Calderone, director of Assica, the trade body representing Italy’s meat and charcuterie industries. He noted that the agreement, alongside recent clarifications from Italy’s Health Ministry aimed at easing exports to the United States, provides much-needed relief for producers in restricted areas. Many had been unable to meet export requirements for two of the sector’s key markets due to the expansion of the infected zone. “We now hope that other countries will follow Canada’s lead and join talks to reconsider the restrictions placed on our cured meats,” Calderone added.