Canada’s poultry and egg producers are key contributors to the Canadian economy, generating $4.2 billion in farm cash receipts. The Government of Canada is committed to working with industry partners in developing new risk management tools that help farmers manage risk.

“Every poultry farmer knows how devastating an outbreak can be on their operations and their bottom lines. Our government is pleased to work with poultry organizations across Canada to ensure that farmers have the proper tools in place to manage those financial risks. These investments will support a stronger agriculture sector and the well-paid middle class jobs it provides," said Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Lawrence MacAulay.

Member of Parliament for London North Centre, Peter Fragiskatos, on behalf of Minister Lawrence MacAulay, was at the National Poultry Show in London today to announce investments of nearly $2 million to help Canadian poultry producers manage risks.

“Every day, poultry and egg producers work hard to keep their flocks safe, healthy and disease-free. By investing in these essential tools for our farmers, we are helping them to manage risks and access critical information. The investments announced today will help support the local economy of the London area, where many poultry farmers are located and supporting well-paid middle class jobs," commented Member of Parliament for London North Centre Peter Fragiskatos.

These investments went to various projects that develop new insurance tools to protect poultry and egg producers against the financial impact of an outbreak of a poultry disease such as Avian Influenza.

Projects include:

• $659,750 for L’Équipe québécoise de contrôle des maladies avicoles to develop an insurance-based compensation plan for Quebec poultry producers to cover certain costs related to six diseases, including Avian influenza, during an outbreak.
• $378,250 for the Canadian Egg Industry Reciprocal Alliance to develop an Avian influenza insurance for Canadian regulated egg supply chain producers and a Salmonella enteritidis insurance for Quebec broiler breeders hatching egg producers.
• $473,700 for Chicken Farmers of Ontario to develop enhanced biosecurity operating procedures during a poultry disease outbreak, and to implement an Avian influenza insurance to compensate chicken and turkey producers in Ontario for losses resulting from a disease outbreak.
• $318,500 for the Poultry Insurance Exchange Reciprocal of Canada to develop an Avian influenza insurance for Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan hatching egg producers and Ontario table egg producers.

“Canadian egg producers have developed an Avian influenza insurance product to cover losses not covered by the Health of Animals Act. This new coverage will provide for a quicker return to financial stability had this new product not been available. This achievement would have been considerably more difficult and not achievable had it not been for AAFC’s AgriRisk Initiative,” said General Manager Andre Patry, Canadian Egg Industry Reciprocal Alliance

Quick Facts

• Canada’s poultry farmers generate $3 billion in farm cash receipts, in addition to the $1 billion generated by egg farmers. On the processing side, poultry processors have almost $8 billion in sales.
• The Canadian poultry sector employs over 100,000 Canadians.
• The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal-provincial and territorial governments, which will strengthen the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector, ensuring continued innovation, growth and prosperity. ]
• Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, producers will continue to have access to a robust suite of Business Risk Management programs to help manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farm and are beyond their capacity to manage.

“On behalf of the Ontario poultry industry, we thank the federal government for its financial support that has enabled the egg, hatchery, turkey and chicken sector to strengthen its approach to biosecurity and to advance insurance solutions to address poultry diseases in Ontario. Chicken Farmers of Ontario has been working towards implementing a disease insurance platform as a direct result of this federal support," said Chair, Chicken Farmers of Ontario Ed Benjamins