Update on Avian Influenza in Canada

The outbreak of high-path avian influenza in Frasier Valley, British Columbia led to a temporary ban on shipment of poultry products outside the control area. Local cold storage facilities and slaughterhouse freezers filled rapidly and quickly resulted in a shortage of freezer space as hundreds of tons of poultry were unable to be shipped outside the Valley.

Source: Statistics Canada, Agriculture Division

As the outbreak spread, the federal government decided to slaughter about 19 million birds in the Valley. Officials said the majority of birds were likely to test negative for the virus and could be processed and sold for consumption.

The decision was made to release poultry products from the lockeddown control zone. The industry and the government worked to develop a plan to move the uninfected product already held in freezers which was acceptable to international trade partners. Meat already in the freezers is from flocks that have not had any indication of avian influenza.

Product will be labeled as suitable for movement to retail outlets, restaurants, hotels and institutions within Canada. Fresh and frozen poultry meat will be allowed to be shipped, under permit, throughout Canada. B.C. poultry products will be kept separate from meat from the rest of the country. A Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) official said the decision was made after consulting with U.S. and European officials. British Columbian processors will be required to ensure that no BC poultry enters the export market.

Canadian poultry producers plan to maintain a chicken supply by increasing domestic production in areas outside the Valley and by boosting imports.

About 800,000 breeders in BC will be slaughtered. Once the Valley is cleared to restock, breeder eggs will have to be imported from the U.S. For 2004, during the first quarter 60,576 chicks for broiler production moved from British Columbia to Alberta, compared to 99,694 during the same time period in 2003.

Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Statistics Canada, various news wires

Update on Avian Influenza in Asia

Thailand
New outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) were detected in layer hens in Chonburi and Khonkaen Provinces. A total of 11,326 layers were destroyed. The latest outbreak was detected April 7, 2004 due to intensive clinical surveillance. Outbreaks had previously been reported in these provinces.

For the reporting period March 19 to April 2 there were no new outbreaks and Thai officials were hopeful they could declare the country free of HPAI. An agriculture official said if there are no findings they could declare themselves free of avian influenza on April 27.

Thailand has been anxious to declare itself free of HPAI. In February, Thailand said it would declare itself free of HPAI in March, however new outbreaks pushed the target date to April 9. Poultry exports have suffered since HPAI was first diagnosed in Thailand earlier this year. The value of poultry exports fell over 55 percent for the period January-February 2003 when compared to the same period in 2003.

Indonesia
New outbreaks were reported in Central Java and Bali Provinces. The affected populations included layers, broilers, Arabian chickens, natiave chickens, ducks, small turle-doves and quails. According to the Department of Agriculture, Jakarta, 800,000 birds had died.
Source: OIE, news wires

To view the full report, including tables please click here (PDF Format)

Source: USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service - 13th April 2004