Funding to help Canada step up avian flu surveillance

The governments of Canada and British Columbia are investing CA$300,000 (US$215,100) to strengthen the surveillance, early detection, and response measures to avian influenza.
The funding will be used to enhance the resources at the Canadian Ministry of Agriculture's Animal Health Centre in Abbotsford with specialized equipment to diagnose samples collected in the ministry's avian influenza surveillance efforts.
Ministry of Agriculture staff began a pilot surveillance project that collected sediment samples at ponds and wetlands used by wild waterfowl following the December 2014 avian flu outbreak in the Fraser Valley. A research group has worked at developing cutting edge technological advances to be able to test the samples collected from the pilot project for the presence of avian flu strains. Funds will be used to transfer this new technology to the Animal Health Centre. As the pilot project evolves into ongoing surveillance, the ability to diagnose the samples quickly at the Animal Health Centre will greatly enhance early detection efforts.
The Ministry of Agriculture will also be targeting owners of small poultry flocks by hosting workshops in different regions focusing on poultry health, and the sharing of information and resources such as the Small Flock Poultry Health Manual.
In addition, funding is being provided to support a rapid response to any future outbreaks by having mobile equipment to help any infected poultry premises with the humane depopulation of infected bird populations within the province at all times and to train more responders in its use.
The money is provided through the Biosecurity and Surveillance Program under Growing Forward 2, a five-year agreement launched in 2013 that provides a CA$3-billion, federal-provincial-territorial government investment in innovation, competitiveness and market development.

Canadian chicken industry makes strides in AMU efforts

The announcement of McDonald’s Canada regarding the company's direction on chicken raised without the use of antibiotics of human importance is consistent with the overall direction of the Canadian chicken industry and plays a role in advancing Canada's ongoing, long-term Antimicrobial Use (AMU) Strategy.

Recent announcements, such as that by McDonald’s Canada, dovetail with the industry's initiatives around responsible use of antibiotics in animal agriculture.

"Antimicrobial reduction continues to be a concern for farmers, consumers, and public health experts," said Chair of Chicken Farmers of Canada, Dave Janzen. "While they are an important part of modern human and animal medicine, Chicken Farmers of Canada supports the responsible use of antimicrobials to maintain animal health, animal welfare, and food safety. Ultimately, the goal of the AMU strategy is to ensure the continued effectiveness of antibiotics while providing continued confidence to consumers."

As farming practices continue to evolve, chicken farmers play a leading role in researching antimicrobial alternatives, through supporting cutting-edge research and innovation. The industry-wide AMU strategy was developed in tandem with all industry stakeholders. This includes the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, the Canadian Hatchery Federation, the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council, Turkey Farmers of Canada, and the Canadian Association of Poultry Veterinarians.

The biggest step in this strategy was eliminating the preventive use of Category I antibiotics - throughout the chicken sector. Category I antibiotics are those considered most important to human health, and as of May 15, 2014, their preventive use was no longer permitted in the Canadian chicken sector.

Eliminating the preventive use of Category I antibiotics is one part of the larger AMU strategy. Other major components of the strategy include analyzing antimicrobial resistance, reviewing best management practices, ensuring effective controls of AMU in Canada, educating stakeholders, as well as researching and sourcing alternative products.
To date, the poultry sector has invested over $3.2 million through the Canadian Poultry Research council and nearly half of this research has been in areas related to antimicrobial use and alternatives.

Mixed reaction to TPP from Canada’s chicken producers

Industry association Chicken Farmers of Canada has expressed its disappointment at the additional access that Canada has had to concede to secure a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, while it recognized that the agreement will benefit the overall Canadian economy.
As a result of the TPP agreement, Canada will be required to increase its market share for chicken by 28 percent to almost 10 percent of national consumption. The association hopes that, given this additional access, the government will end the practice of regularly issuing supplementary import allocations.
However, association chair Dave Janzen commented that the key part of the agreement was the government’s commitment to immediately end fraudulent import practices that have plagued the country’s industry for more than five years.
He welcomed the announcement that the government will put in place long term, meaningful fixes to end current practices that have cost the chicken industry “thousands of jobs, millions of kilograms of production, millions of dollars in revenues, and millions of dollars in GDP contributions to the Canadian economy”.
The agreement, when combined with these long-term fixes to re-establish the integrity of the import control pillar for chicken, will provide the chicken sector with a “generation of stability and certainty.”
“While we were unable to prevent important concessions on top of the substantial market access that Canada already provides to its chicken market, we appreciate the steadfast efforts of International Trade Minister (Ed) Fast and Canada’s negotiators to blunt the irresponsible access demands of some key TPP members,” he continued.
Among fraudulent practices highlighted by the association are the import of unlimited quantities of chicken by simply adding sauce or other ingredients, importing spent fowl and declaring it as chicken, and allowing companies to substitute high-value imported cuts with low-value domestic cuts for re-export.

Canada lifts avian flu-related bans affecting 4 states

The Canadian government continues to lift bans on poultry imports from U.S. states, as restrictions on poultry, eggs and poultry products from four northwestern states have been removed. The bans had been in place over concerns about avian influenza.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently lifted its restrictions on poultry from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, citing that those states appeared to be free of the virus. The last cases of avian influenza in California, Oregon and Washington were confirmed by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in February, while the last case of avian influenza in Idaho was confirmed in January.
CFIA in August had also lifted avian influenza-related bans on poultry from Arkansas, Montana and Indiana.
Presently CFIA’s bans on U.S. poultry are limited to Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas and Wisconsin.
Since December 19, 2014, APHIS reported 223 confirmed cases of avian influenza in the United States, affecting more than 48 million birds. The last case confirmed by the agency was in a layer flock of Iowa in June. While there have been no confirmed cases in the U.S. for nearly three months, the poultry industry and government agencies are preparing for avian influenza’s possible return to the country in the fall.

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.

Growing the Ontario chicken industry

Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) has announced that it is launching a portfolio of new and revised programs that will meet the needs of Ontario consumers while creating new opportunities for farmers and processors. The programs were developed following extensive public and industry consultations and will use a portion of the future growth in Ontario’s production allocation to facilitate new business opportunities. 
The portfolio will include the creation of three new programs, an Artisanal Chicken program, a Local Niche Markets program and a Business Development program, while also enhancing and updating some of CFO’s existing programs such as the New Entrant programs. CFO’s Small Flock program is being renamed the “Family Food” program.
“These new and enhanced program opportunities represent a very balanced approach to growing the chicken industry in Ontario,” said Henry Zantingh, Chair of CFO. “They will strengthen the supply management system and accelerate profitable sustainable growth across the chicken industry value chain in Ontario.
The announcement follows a consultative process conducted by CFO working collaboratively with the Association of Ontario Chicken Processors and the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission as Team Ontario. This group reached out to a broad range of industry, public, and farmer stakeholders to seek their views and opinions on the allocation of future growth in Ontario. 
The consultation plan outlined some clear objectives for CFO’s new Allocating Growth program. These objectives included:


• Evolving the allocation systems (producer and processor) to improve the flexibility and responsiveness in capitalizing on growth opportunities in the chicken market place
• Creating value by serving the needs of new, growing and emerging markets
• Encouraging innovation and new business-building ideas
• Serving the needs of existing markets, taking into consideration their size, importance and historical investment
• Developing a system that is predictable and stable, which aligns the interests of key stakeholders in the chicken industry
• Encouraging quality, efficiency and value creation
Following consultations, CFO and Team Ontario spent considerable effort reviewing, understanding and reflecting on the views provided by the various stakeholders. 
In developing the new programs, CFO addressed some opportunities which became clear during the consultations process. They include:


1. There is a definite demand for small-scale production above the current Small Flock limit
2. A number of niche, local and community needs appear to be unmet, especially in Northern Ontario
3. Broad support for encouraging new entrant farmers and processors exists
More details on the new “Allocating Growth” programs and business opportunities for farmers and processors to meet consumer demand will be announced over the coming months. The full list of new, expanded and revised programs will be outlined on the CFO website as they become available.
CLICK HERE to access the input received during this process.

All Canadian avian flu control zones released

All avian influenza control zones in Canada have been lifted, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed. CFIA removed the final avian influenza control zone, located in the counties of Oxford and Waterloo, Ontario, on July 29.
The quarantine in the final zone was removed at the completion of the 21-day waiting period that followed the cleaning and disinfection process of the infected farm under CFIA oversight. That farm was a broiler breeder facility, where 27,000 chickens were affected. Now that the control zone has been lifted, permits are no longer required for the movement of birds and bird products in Ontario.
The other two farms in Ontario to be affected by avian influenza in Ontario were also located in Oxford County. One farm had 44,800 turkeys affected, while the other farm had 7,900 turkeys affected.
All three of Ontario’s avian influenza cases were confirmed in April.
Several months before avian influenza reached Ontario, avian influenza cases had been confirmed in British Columbia, impacting more than 187,000 birds. Those quarantines have been lifted, and in June, the World Oganisation for Animal Health (OIE) considered the avian influenza situation in British Columbia to be resolved.
The CFIA continues to remind poultry owners to take an active role in protecting their flocks by employing strict biosecurity measures on their property, and immediately reporting any signs of illness.

Canada funds research for poultry antibiotic alternative

The Canadian government is investing CA$400,000 (US$313,900) for the development of a technology that would provide an alternative to antibiotics in poultry production.
Michelle Rempel, minister of state for Canada’s Western Economic Diversification, announced the funding on July 14. The investment will enable the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) to develop and commercialize a novel technology that delivers an immunity-boosting aerosol protectant to chickens as an alternative to antibiotics.
This project supports a multi-regional partnership with poultry farms based in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, and engages highly qualified personnel in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia as well as industry associations from both Alberta and Saskatchewan.
“The poultry industry is a major force within the Canadian economy. Our government is proud to support the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine in developing an alternative to antibiotics that will address a significant productivity issue for the poultry industry,” Rempel said.
Karen Chad, vice president of research at the University of Saskatchewan welcomed the announcement.
“Based on years of research, U of S veterinary pathologist Dr. Susantha Gomis and his collaborators have developed an innovative idea for treating bacterial infections in chickens that will provide Canadian poultry producers with another effective tool in their flock health kit,” Chad said. “It’s exciting research that will have significant impact in strengthening Canada’s agriculture industry.”

Ontario avian influenza quarantines lifted

Two of three avian influenza control zones in Oxford County, Ontario, have been lifted, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced.
The two quarantines have been lifted after the affected properties have been disinfected and the required 21 day waiting period after disinfection has passed.
While two of the quarantines have been lifted, a third one remains in place. The premises affected by avian influenza in that control zone has gone through the disinfection process, but the 21-day period following the cleansing will not be over until July 29, provided that no new cases of avian influenza are detected between now and then.
According to CFIA, there were three confirmed cases of avian influenza in Ontario, all off which occurred in Oxford County. The first and third cases, confirmed on April 7 and April 23, involved commercial turkey operations. In one case, 44,800 turkeys were affected and in the other, 7,900 birds were affected. Those are the two cases where the quarantines have been lifted.
The control zone remaining involved an avian influenza infection at a broiler breeder facility, affecting 27,000 birds.
Bookmark the WATTAgNet avian influenza update page for current news and analysis concerning avian influenza and its impact on the global poultry industry.

Lifting of Ontario avian flu quarantines behind schedule

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  Avian influenza quarantine zones remain in place in Oxford County, Ontario, according to Canadian officials.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Two avian influenza control zones put in place by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in the spring were initially expected to be lifted in June, but the control zones are still in place. As a result, more than 50 poultry farms in Ontario’s Oxford County are still under quarantine.
  The quarantines include a 10 kilometer area around the infected properties. The quarantines are still in place as the three farms continue to be cleaned and disinfected. Once the disinfection is completed, 21 more days must follow before the quarantines can be lifted, according to CFIA.
  Ontario’s first case of avian influenza, confirmed on April 7, was in a commercial flock of 44,800 turkeys. The second case in the Canadian province was in a broiler breeder farm and was confirmed on April 18. An estimated 27,000 birds were affected in the second outbreak. The third case, confirmed on April 29, involved a flock of 8,000 commercial turkeys. All three cases were in Oxford County.
  Since that time, no other avian influenza cases have been confirmed in Ontario.
  Prior to avian influenza’s presence being found in Ontario, the only other cases of the virus were found in British Columbia. On June 8, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) declared British Columbia to be free of avian influenza. The outbreaks in the two Canadian provinces are not believed to be related.

Canadian Salmonella outbreak tied to raw breaded chicken

Raw breaded chicken products are believed to be the cause of a multi-province Salmonella outbreak in Canada. To date, 44 cases have been confirmed, with 12 people being hospitalized.
The majority of those cases were found in Ontario, with 28 confirmed cases. Twelve cases have been reported in Quebec, and two cases each have been reported in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. There have not been any fatalities in this Salmonella outbreak.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada and provincial health partners are working together to investigate the Salmonella outbreak. The PHAC is leading the human health investigation of this outbreak and is in regular contact with its federal and provincial partners to monitor and take collaborative steps to address the outbreak. Health Canada is providing food-related health risk assessments to determine if the presence of a certain substance or microorganism poses a health risk to consumers. The CFIA is conducting food safety investigations into the possible food source of the outbreak.
The company or companies producing the breaded chicken products tied to the outbreak have not been named.
The involved federal agencies will update Canadian residents as new information related to the Salmonella outbreak becomes available.

Egg Farmers of Canada commits $500,000 to AI research

Egg Farmers of Canada has committed $500,000 for avian influenza research to be awarded to and administered by the Egg Industry Center at Iowa State University. 
Egg Farmers of Canada is the national not-for-profit organization that represents Canada’s more than 1,000 egg farms. Given the significant impact that highly pathogenic avian influenza is having on the entire North American industry, the organization contacted the Egg Industry Center after the center published a call for pre-proposals to fund research needed to answer questions surrounding the ongoing outbreak. The destructive disease has impacted millions of egg-laying hens. It has been found in 15 states and has affected parts of Canada in the past and two Canadian provinces in the last six months.
“We are pleased to partner with the Egg Industry Center to tackle this North American challenge head on,” said Tim Lambert, chief executive officer of Egg Farmers of Canada. “We are confident that the world-class research emerging from the EIC, under the leadership of Dr. Hongwei Xin, will provide practical solutions for producers and ensure a safe and secure way forward for the entire industry.”
“We are extremely grateful to Egg Farmers of Canada for not only recognizing the need for this research, but making the much-needed financial commitment to help make it happen,” said Hongwei Xin, director of the Egg Industry Center and a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State. “Financial support like this greatly enhances our ability to fund additional worthy projects.” 
Researchers from across the U.S. submitted 19 different projects for funding consideration. The Egg Industry Center’s research grant program is structured to focus on the top concerns of the U.S. egg industry. 

Canadian human Salmonella outbreaks linked to hatchery

A hatchery in Alberta, Canada, is thought to be the source of Salmonella enteritidis-infected chicks that have resulted in 34 cases of human infections so far this year.
The cases of human infection under investigation are spread across three of the country’s provinces. Individuals became sick between April 5 and May 12 this year, and in all cases there had been contact with chicks. Most cases have reported contact with chicks coming from the Alberta hatchery.
The un-named hatchery, with is thought to work with small- and large-scale producers, is contacting any clients who have placed orders for chicks since the beginning of March this year, however, it is not known how many infected chicks may have been sent out.
Alberta Forestry and Agriculture is leading the animal health investigation and working closely with the hatchery. The Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with provincial and local public health and agricultural partners to investigate the outbreaks of Salmonella infection in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has stressed that the risk to the general population of infection with Salmonella is low, but is reminding those that have contact with live poultry to take precautions to protect their health.

Aid for British Columbia farmers hit by avian influenza

Canadian government officials have announced funding for two initiatives worth up to CA$1.58 million (US$1.31 million) to help poultry producers in British Columbia re-establish their operations and mitigate the impact of future risks following an outbreak of avian influenza that struck the province’s Fraser Valley during the past winter.
H5N2 and H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks first hit British Columbia in late 2014 and continued to be confirmed through February 2015.
The Canadian government’s AgriRecovery and AgriRisk initiatives, which will be used to aid poultry producers, are part of the suite of federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) business risk management tools under Growing Forward 2, a five-year policy framework for Canada’s agricultural and agri-food sector.
"Governments agreed that Growing Forward 2 ‎would be there for farmers in times of unforeseen economic harm. These initiatives will help BC poultry producers deal with added costs of resuming business operations, while helping the poultry sector develop insurance options against future outbreaks," said Member of Parliament for Langley, Mark Warawa.
Garnet Etsell, chair of the BC Poultry Industry Captive Insurance Company and director of the 2014 Industry Emergency Operations Centre, added: "The funding for the AgriRecovery claim and the AgriRisk initiative goes hand in hand and it's much appreciated by industry. The BC poultry industry is thankful for the assistance, and both the provincial and federal governments' timely help in reducing the economic hardship experienced by those affected by the 2014 avian influenza outbreak through the AgriRecovery program. The AgriRisk initiative will help the industry continue its leading edge work on developing a risk mitigation strategy that will further reduce the effects of future threats."
To track confirmed cases of the North American avian influenza outbreak, see WATTAgNet's avian influenza tracker map and bookmark the avian influenza update page for news about and analysis of avian influenza.

Saudi Arabia bans Ontario poultry, eggs over AI fears

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  Saudi Arabia has issued a temporary ban on eggs and poultry from Ontario, citing concerns about avian influenza.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Food and Drug Authority has temporarily banned the import of poultry meat and eggs from the Canadian province of Ontario because avian influenza fears.
  Saudi Arabia has already imposed similar bans on poultry and eggs from Thailand and from the United States, which has had confirmed avian influenza outbreaks in 18 states.
  The ban on Ontario poultry follows three outbreaks of H5N2 avian influenza that have been confirmed in the province. All three outbreaks have occurred in Ontario’s Oxford County.
  Ontario’s three cases of avian influenza confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) affected two commercial turkey flocks and one broiler breeder operations. The turkey operations included flocks of 44,800 and 8,000 birds, respectively, while the broiler breeder operation had a flock of 27,000 birds, according to CFIA.
  All three Ontario avian influenza cases were confirmed in April.
  Ontario is one of two Canadian provinces to have confirmed cases of avian influenza, with British Columbia being the other. However, animal health officials have said that it is doubtful that outbreaks in the two provinces are related.
  See WATTAgNet’s avian influenza map to keep updated on avian influenza outbreaks in Canada and the United States.

Canada introducing new rules on animal antibiotic use

Canadian Health Minister Rona Ambrose is introducing new measures and strengthening regulations to encourage prudent use of antibiotics used in animal agriculture, particularly involving those that are considered important in human medicine.
This effort is intended to help minimize the global emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance and to conserve the effectiveness of available antimicrobials. These actions will protect public health and food safety and align with other countries, the health minister said.
Health Canada has already worked with the pharmaceutical industry to phase out all growth promotion claims of medically-important antimicrobial drugs by December 2016. In addition, Health Canada plans to:


• Propose amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations to address personal use importation of veterinary drugs, and strengthen the control over the importation of veterinary active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs); and
• Continue to work with stakeholders to increase the appropriate veterinary oversight with respect to access to all medically-important antimicrobial drugs that are used in livestock drinking water and feeds. This measure will require further amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations and the Feeds Regulations.
These initiatives are part of the Canadian government’s recently released Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Use in Canada, which builds on the Federal Framework for Action announced in October 2014. The department will continue to engage partners and stakeholders while the proposed amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations are being developed and further actions on AMR are being implemented.


Chicken Farmers of Canada supports reduction of antibiotic use
The Canadian government’s move to limit antibiotic use has drawn the praise from poultry industry group Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC).
“Chicken Farmers of Canada supports the federal government in their objective of amending these regulations to ensure responsible antimicrobial stewardship,” said Dave Janzen, CFC chair. “The chicken industry is continuing to study all facets of antibiotic use in animal agriculture to ensure that responsible, appropriate, and safe use of antibiotics can continue while reduction methods are explored at all levels of the industry, and with stakeholders and government partners.”
CFC stated that it supports the responsible use of antimicrobials to maintain animal health, animal welfare and food safety and is pleased to partner with the federal government on these issues.

Ontario has second avian influenza outbreak

Ontario has had its second confirmed case of avian influenza, after the virus was detected at a broiler breeder farm in Oxford County. The new avian influenza case was reported April 18 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Preliminary testing by the Province of Ontario has confirmed the presence of H5 avian influenza at the broiler breeder farm. Further testing by the CFIA is underway to confirm pathogenicity and to determine the precise subtype and strain of the virus. Initial tests for the disease were conducted on April 17 at the Animal Health Laboratory at the University of Guelph, after the chicken farm experienced sudden deaths of birds over several days.
CFIA placed the broiler breeder farm under quarantine to control disease spread and the poultry industry has been notified to adopt enhanced biosecurity practices.
As lead response agency the CFIA will ensure the quarantine of the infected farm, and determine a surrounding surveillance zone for further testing and movement control measures. The CFIA will also lead on required depopulation of birds, while the province will provide technical support on required carcass disposal. Once all birds have been removed, the CFIA will oversee the cleaning and disinfection of the barns, vehicles, equipment and tools to eliminate any infectious material that may remain.
Ontario’s first case of avian influenza was confirmed on April 7 in a commercial turkey flock near Woodstock.
To date, Ontario and British Columbia are the only two provinces in Canada with confirmed avian influenza cases.

H5N2 in Ontario prompts cancellation of poultry show

Because avian influenza has been recently discovered at a commercial turkey operation in Ontario, the 2015 edition of London Poultry Show in London, Ontario, has been cancelled. The show had been scheduled for April 22-23.
The poultry industry in Ontario has been on alert since H5N2 avian influenza was confirmed in a commercial turkey flock near Woodstock. The virus was responsible for the death of about 9,000 of the 45,000 susceptible turkeys at the farm.
The decision to cancel the show was announced April 10 by the Poultry Industry Council (PIC) and the Western Fair District (WFD), based upon recommendations from industry groups Feather Board Command Center, Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Egg Farmers of Ontario, Turkey Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg & Chick Commission.
“While the London Poultry Show offers an important educational opportunity, we have determined that the risk to the industry outweighs any potential benefits of the show, as well as potential consequences resulting from its cancellation,” PIC and WFD said in a joint statement.
The show typically attracts several thousand visitors and more than 150 exhibitors.
To date, the Canadian province of Ontario has only had one outbreak of avian influenza. The virus has also affected commercial poultry flocks in British Columbia.

OIE: Ontario avian influenza outbreak confirmed H5N2

An outbreak of avian influenza in an Ontario turkey flock reported on April 7 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has been confirmed to be of the H5N2 serotype, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
CFIA had earlier stated that the outbreak, which occurred near Woodstock, Ontario, was a case of H5 avian influenza, but the agency had not verified its exact serotype. H5N2 avian influenza has been prevalent in nine avian influenza cases in bordering Minnesota, as well as two confirmed cases in South Dakota. OIE stated that the Ontario outbreak could have been spread through wild birds in the Mississippi flyway, which includes Minnesota, but added that it was doubtful it was related to earlier Canadian avian influenza outbreaks in British Columbia that began in December 2014.
According to OIE, one of four barns on the premises was infected. The outbreak was responsible for the death of about 9,000 turkeys on the farm. An estimated 45,000 turkeys at the farm were susceptible.
CFIA has quarantined the infected farm and is implementing strict movement controls and a stamping out policy.
To date, Ontario and British Columbia are the only Canadian provinces to have confirmed cases of avian influenza.

OIE: Ontario avian influenza outbreak confirmed H5N2

An outbreak of avian influenza in an Ontario turkey flock reported on April 7 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has been confirmed to be of the H5N2 serotype, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
CFIA had earlier stated that the outbreak, which occurred near Woodstock, Ontario, was a case of H5 avian influenza, but the agency had not verified its exact serotype. H5N2 avian influenza has been prevalent in nine avian influenza cases in bordering Minnesota, as well as two confirmed cases in South Dakota. OIE stated that the Ontario outbreak could have been spread through wild birds in the Mississippi flyway, which includes Minnesota, but added that it was doubtful it was related to earlier Canadian avian influenza outbreaks in British Columbia that began in December 2014.
According to OIE, one of four barns on the premises was infected. The outbreak was responsible for the death of about 9,000 turkeys on the farm. An estimated 45,000 turkeys at the farm were susceptible.
CFIA has quarantined the infected farm and is implementing strict movement controls and a stamping out policy.
To date, Ontario and British Columbia are the only Canadian provinces to have confirmed cases of avian influenza.