Canadian avian influenza outbreaks prompt Asian trade bans

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  Andrea Gantz

  Several Asian markets have banned Canadian poultry and poultry products after avian influenza was found on two Canadian farms.

  From WATTAgNet:
  The discovery of avian influenza in British Columbia has prompted several Asian markets to impose bans on the import of Canadian poultry products.
  According to reports, South Korea has banned imports of Canadian chicks, while Japan and Taiwan have put trade restrictions on chicken and poultry products from Canada. Meanwhile, Hong Kong has placed bans on poultry, meat and eggs from part of British Columbia.
  The trade restrictions come on the heels of the announcement that two farms in British Columbia had confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza.
  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported a turkey farm in Abbotsford and a broiler breeding facility in Chilliwack both had outbreaks of avian influenza. The two farms are about eight kilometers away from each other.
  Preliminary tests show the virus found is of the H5 variety, according to Dr. Harpreet Kochhar, chief veterinary officer with the CFIA, but the exact serotype is not yet known. The source of the outbreaks has yet to be identified.
  Of the nearly 11,000 turkeys at the Abbotsford operation, about half have died. The farm in Chilliwack is the home of about 7,000 birds, with an estimated 1,000 having died. Culling efforts had been planned for the remaining susceptible birds at both properties, and quarantines have been established.