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On February 19, 2004, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(CFIA)
confirmed the presence of
avian influenza in the Fraser Valley area of southern British
Columbia. The CFIA
responded immediately by placing the infected premises under quarantine
and depopulating all birds. Because avian influenza is very contagious,
the CFIA
began a surveillance program and established
movement restrictions for birds and bird products to stop the spread
of avian influenza. On April 5, 2004, the
Honourable Bob Speller, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and
Minister responsible for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
announced the depopulation of all commercial poultry flocks and
other backyard birds in the Control Area established March 11 in British
Columbia's Fraser Valley in an effort to eradicate avian influenza. The
decision is based on the recommendation of the
CFIA in
consultation with the Province of British Columbia and the poultry
industry.
Approximately 19 million birds will be destroyed.
Poultry from non-infected flocks can be processed under full inspection
in registered establishments and made available for sale. The
depopulation effort will require the assistance and cooperation of all
partners. The CFIA
will be working closely with those partners to move as quickly as
possible in this effort. All farm owners whose birds are ordered
destroyed will be compensated under the
Health of Animals Act.
To reduce the risk of spreading the disease, the
CFIA has now
taken legal steps that require poultry owners to control access to their
premises by affixing a notice at the entrance of their property
prohibiting unauthorized entry to their farm. |
