The movement to and participation of birds in events where they commingle has been temporarily banned to prevent the spread of avian influenza.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com
The provincial government of Ontario has banned the movement to and participation of birds in events where they comingle as of April 9, 12:01AM, 2022 as a means to halt the possible spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1.
Following the advice of the Chief Veterinarian for Ontario, the Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has, via the Animal Health Act, 2009, issued the order to limit commingling of birds from different locations to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
The movement to and the participation of birds in events where they commingle, such as shows, sales, swaps, fairs, sport and educational displays is now prohibited until May 9, 2022, at which time the necessity to extend the order will be re-evaluated.
The Ontario government has previously attempted to limit the spread of high path avian influenza by increasing surveillance and testing capacity, hosting webinars, providing education and resources for those entities within the poultry supply chain. As well, the province has expanded mental health supports for poultry farmers and their families as they continue to manage this difficult situation.
After having hit many European and Asian countries since the outbreak began in the autumn of 2021, the FBCC (Feather Board Command Centre) said that disease has been identified in seven Canadian provinces (other reports say nine) and 24 US states. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is leading the disease response to this outbreak of avian influenza.
To learn more about the Minister’s Order and Chief Veterinarian for Ontario requirements, visit http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/min-order/index.html.