Alberta pork producers are calling for tighter controls on feed ingredients following a new case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) that has renewed concern across the sector.

The virus was confirmed at a southern Alberta operation in late February marking the first reported case in the province since 2022. Provincial officials say the outbreak remains isolated with no further spread detected through ongoing surveillance.

Industry attention has focused on spray-dried porcine blood plasma used in feed for young pigs. While the source of the infection has not been definitively identified, testing at the affected farm pointed to a feed ingredient as a possible pathway. Other transmission routes were considered less likely though not fully ruled out.

Producers have responded by pressing for a ban on the ingredient citing repeated concerns that it may pose a biosecurity risk despite its nutritional benefits. The issue has resurfaced longstanding debate within the pork sector between maximizing production performance and limiting disease exposure.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea is a highly contagious virus that affects only swine. It causes severe illness in piglets with mortality rates that can reach near total loss in young animals while older pigs typically recover but experience slowed growth. The disease is not a food safety concern but can have significant economic impacts on farms due to production losses and containment measures.

Investigators continue to examine the Alberta case with industry groups and government officials working to contain the virus and prevent further spread. The incident has prompted renewed criticism of feed sourcing and the risks associated with certain inputs.