As part of the new Poultry Biosecurity Preparedness Initiative, Canadian agri-businesses can apply for funding toward increasing biosecurity against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
“Poultry farmers are ever more vigilant to prevent the spread of avian flu,” said the Honorable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This program will allow them to further strengthen biosecurity measures and protect their animals from this virus.”
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to CA$1.5 million (US$1.12 million) to the initiative to help eligible non-supply-managed poultry operations and related businesses increase biosecurity efforts.
What efforts will the Poultry Biosecurity Preparedness Initiative fund?
The initiative is a branch of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership and, according to the government of Canada’s website, will focus on three types of biosecurity measures:
- Adding equipment designed to enhance on-farm biosecurity, like security gates and equipment and biosecurity signage
- Adding cleaning and disinfecting equipment like hot water pressure washers, wash stations, anterooms and segregation walls
- Enhancing protocols or practices to mitigate interactions between wild and farmed birds
Who is eligible for the Poultry Biosecurity Preparedness Initiative?
Those who can apply for funding are non-supply-managed poultry and waterfowl farmers and meat processors with flocks of at least 300 birds.
“This is a welcomed addition of funding for non-supply-managed poultry producers. Avian influenza has impacted many businesses that were not covered by other programs,” said Franco Naccarato, executive director for Meat & Poultry Ontario. “This new funding will help address the gap, and benefit producers in enhancing their biosecurity efforts.”
Applications open January 2023, and applicants can receive up to 70% cost share for eligible expenses, up to $100,000 per enhanced location and up to $500,000 per business.
“The members of the Poultry Service Association appreciate the Minister’s leadership in launching the Poultry Biosecurity Preparedness Initiative,” said Susan Fitzgerald, executive director for the Poultry Service Association. “Our members have been impacted by the avian influenza outbreaks and these funds will provide meaningful support toward maintaining and strengthening our biosecurity activities.”
Avian flu in Canada
According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, there have been 15 avian flu outbreaks in British Columbia and one in Ontario between November 23 to November 27.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
Read our ongoing coverage of the global avian influenza outbreak.
