Bird Flu in Canada: Poultry Industry Will Help Farm

Published: October 5, 2007

Source : The Leader Post

Saskatchewan's poultry industry will provide some financial assistance to the farm where avian influenza was discovered last week, says the chief executive of the Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan.

The presence of highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza meant approximately 50,000 birds at Pedigree Poultry had to be euthanized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The owner will have to cover the cost of cleaning and disinfecting the facilities.

"We are definitely in support of getting the situation cleaned and disinfected as soon as possible," said Clinton Monchuk of the Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan.

"We definitely understand that that is a big financial burden, and it is the benefit of the entire industry to actually get this cleaned up as soon as possible."

Monchuk noted the operation will also take a financial hit due to loss of production while the avian influenza situation is handled.

In a published report Tuesday, a member of the family that owns the farm expressed concern about the cost of the cleaning and disinfecting required.

The decision to offer an undisclosed level of support was made by various poultry producer groups that are part of an emergency management team.

Compensation to the farm owners for the loss of the birds falls to the CFIA.

The strain of avian influenza found at the operation northwest of Regina generally isn't considered a risk to humans.

The broiler-breeder operation has been under quarantine since last week.

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Bird Flu in Canada: Poultry Industry Will Help Farm