USDA lifts avian flu-related bans on Ontario poultry

The USDA on August 25 lifted its restrictions on the import of poultry and poultry products from Ontario.
The lifting of the trade bans will be effective immediately, according to an AgWeek report.
The agency had previously placed trade restrictions on Ontario poultry after avian influenza had been detected in an Ontario turkey farm in April. The Canadian province had three confirmed cases of avian influenza – all of which were in Oxford County.
All three properties have been depopulated and disinfected. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on July 29 deemed the area free of avian influenza and lifted all avian influenza-related control zones.
The lifting of trade restrictions on Ontario poultry follows a decision made earlier in August  by CFIA to lift restrictions on poultry and poultry products from the U.S. states of Arkansas and Montana. Since that time, CFIA has also lifted restrictions on poultry from Indiana.
Canada has not had a confirmed case of avian influenza since April, while the U.S. has not had a confirmed case since June. However, USDA officials are preparing for a potential return of the virus in the fall. More than 48 million birds in the United States were affected by avian influenza, while Ontario had an estimated 79,700 birds affected.