Genetically Engineered Pigs in Canada

On January 23 2026, Health Canada announced its approval of a genetically engineered pig for human consumption. It is not yet on the market anywhere in the world.

• The pig was genetically engineered using the gene editing technique of CRISPR-Cas9 to be resistant to a common virus called Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRS).
• There is no mandatory labelling of genetically engineered (genetically modified or GM) foods in Canada and the meat from these GM animals will not be labelled for consumers.
• This GM pig is not on the market yet, and there are no GM animals currently sold as food in Canada.
• There are no GM animals currently sold as food in Canada. The first, and so far only, GM food animal on the market was a GM Atlantic salmon that is no longer in production (2017-2024).

April 30, 2026. Companies are asked to sign the pledge not to sell GM meat. Sign here: Company Commitment – No Hidden genetically modified meat.

Gene-edited PRRS-resistant pigs

The pigs are genetically engineered using the gene editing technique of CRISPR-Cas9 to make the animals resistant to the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRS).

The technology prevents the virus from entering the cells of the pigs, by deleting part of a gene (CD163) that is involved in mediating infection: CRISPR-Cas9 was used to delete the DNA coding for a protein domain that leads to infection (functions as the virus binding site).

Market status

This genetically engineered pig has been approved in Canada, the United States, Colombia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina. However, it is not yet on the market anywhere in the world.

In announcing government approval of this gene-edited pig, Health Canada said, “The company and Health Canada are committed to the highest level of transparency and will communicate to the public when this new technology enters the Canadian market.” However, there is no mandatory labelling to identify meat from these genetically engineered animals in grocery stores.

Health Canada reports that “the company does not intend to sell these pigs before further regulatory authorization in other key markets.” The company has identified important export markets as Mexico, Japan and South Korea. It is not yet approved in China, the world’s largest pork market.
Canada’s most important export markets (by value) are China (32%), Japan (28%), US (24%), and then Mexico, South Korea and others. Over 60% of Canada’s pork products are exported.

The Pig Improvement Company

The animals were genetically engineered by Genus (UK) which is one of the top three animal genetics companies in the world, operating in 30 countries. It’s subsidiary the Pig Improvement Company (PIC), also based in the UK, is promoting the product.

The pigs will be imported into Genus PLC’s breeding facilities in Saskatchewan.

Around the world, the genetic material used in the industrial production of meat and dairy is supplied by a small number of companies. The global animal genetics market size was estimated at USD 7.80 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 13.35 billion in 2033.

The PRRS virus

The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRS) is a widespread, common virus that impacts the health of farmed pigs.

The virus can cause flu-like symptoms such as difficulty breathing, fever, and loss of appetite. It can kill piglets or slow the growth of pigs. It can result in reproductive problems in adult, breeding pigs, such as infertility or stillbirths.

Treatment by antibiotics is effective. Vaccines also exist but can be less effective.

Transmission of the virus is not fully understood but it can spread with the transportation of infected animals. The virus may also be windborne.

Transmission can be largely prevented with the implementation of rigorous biosecurity measures, though outbreaks can still occur.

There is currently no evidence of human infection with the virus.

Safety

Health Canada has approved the gene-edited pig for human consumption.

There were no animal feeding tests undertaken to assess the potential toxicity of eating meat from these gene-edited pigs. Instead, the company used a “weight of evidence approach” to assess the potential toxicity of the modified CD163 protein. Health Canada says, “This was considered acceptable given that the wildtype protein has a non-toxic biological function in animals and has a history of being consumed safely in food.”

The company provided data from experiments that demonstrate the wildtype and modified CD163 proteins are expected to be digested in the stomach.

Health Canada accepted the company’s conclusion that there is no risk of allergenicity because the modified CD163 protein is not similar to any known food allergens: Health Canada says, “This suggests that the modified CD163 protein is not expected to cross-react with known food allergens.”

Regulation in Canada

Health Canada approved the gene-edited pig for human consumption; it was approved for use in animal feed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and approved for production by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Government regulatory departments do not conduct their own safety testing but rely on the information provided by product developers. This information is classified as Confidential Business Information and is not accessible to the public.

Food from gene-edited and cloned animals is regulated in Canada as “novel food”, unlike gene-edited crop plants that will not be assessed for safety by government regulators (they do not trigger the novel food regulations). In 2025, Health Canada was going to stop regulating meat from cloned animals but this decision was paused after public backlash.

There is no mandatory labelling for genetically engineered foods in Canada, despite the fact that all polls show that over 80% of Canadians want labelling.

Consumer Controversy

If this genetically engineered pork enters the Canadian marketplace, it will do so without mandatory labelling for consumers. Canadians will not be able to distinguish gene‑edited pork from conventional pork in the grocery store or butcher shop. This lack of transparency poses a significant risk to consumer trust and to the reputation of the pork industry in Canada.

Public opinion data shows that Canadians overwhelmingly expect transparency when it comes to their food:

• All polls show that over 80% of Canadians want labelling.
• An October 2025 national public opinion poll found that 83% of Canadians want mandatory labelling of all genetically engineered foods.
• Another 2025 survey found that Canadians understand gene editing is genetic engineering and that 91% of Canadians believe consumers have the right to know if gene editing is used in their food, and 90% say this information should be disclosed on food labels.

In 2025, Health Canada was going to stop regulating meat from cloned animals but this decision was paused after public backlash.

In 2012, protests in Canada shut down the commercial pursuit of the GM “Enviropig” developed at the University of Guelph in Ontario.

Other Genetically Engineered Pigs

In 2020, the United States approved a gene-edited pig for use in both medicine and food. Revivicor’s “GalSafe” pigs were genetically engineered to eliminate the sugar alpha-gal, which can cause allergic reactions in some people and makes pig organs unsuitable for transplants. This product is sold in very limited amounts in the US.

In 2012, protests in Canada shut down the commercial pursuit of the GM “Enviropig” which was genetically engineered to have less phosphorus in its feces.

Companies are asked to sign the pledge not to sell GM meat. Sign here: Company Commitment – No Hidden genetically modified meat.