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July 27, 2018
As part of the Growing Forward 2 Agricultural Policy Framework, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in collaboration with the Avian Biosecurity Advisory Committee (ABAC), has updated the voluntary National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard to help poultry producers and flock owners protect the health of their animals and continue to safeguard the Canadian food supply.
The ABAC provided broad representation of poultry stakeholders and was comprised of national and provincial producer organizations including:
- Chicken Farmers of Canada
- Turkey Farmers of Canada
- Canadian Hatching Egg Producers
- Egg Farmers of Canada
- federal and provincial governments
- academia
- poultry producers
The voluntary Standard was first published in 2009 to provide guidance on avian biosecurity measures as an integral component of Canada's approach to minimize disease outbreaks in the poultry sector. The revisions are based on an increased awareness and understanding of the risks and management of infectious diseases in the poultry industry
The revised Standard complements and enhances existing biosecurity measures in the regulated poultry industry delivered through the On Farm Food Safety programs and biosecurity tools developed by the provinces and territories, and serves as a resource for non-regulated poultry owners.
The revised Standard provides poultry producers, backyard flock owners, and industry with additional guidelines and best practices for reducing the spread of diseases. It also touches on:
- assessing disease risks
- developing a farm biosecurity plan
- understanding routes of disease transmission and approaches to disease control
- establishing biosecurity zones and manage movements of people, equipment and vehicles
- developing disease response and self-quarantine protocols
The CFIA encourages all individuals who handle and keep poultry to consult the revised Standard and incorporate the voluntary measures into their routine poultry management practices. This will help minimize outbreaks of poultry disease and protect food safety, human and animal health, and the environment.
Learn more about National Biosecurity Standards.