China and the Philippines have eased export market pressure on Canadian pork by clarifying that their recent bans are limited to hogs and pork from Alberta, the Reuters news agency reported.
The two countries were among about a dozen that have put restrictions in place since a human influenza strain, H1N1, was found to have jumped to a hog herd in central Alberta’s Clearwater County.
Animals in the 2,200-hog herd are reported to have recovered from the virus, although their owner’s farm remains under quarantine, which led him to cull about 500 animals earlier this week out of concern for the animals’ welfare.
According to Reuters, China has always said its ban only applies to Alberta, but traders have reportedly held off on shipments from other parts of Canada for fear that China would extend its ban.