The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has lifted the restrictions placed on the movement of poultry in British Columbia.
It’s been more than a month since avian influenza was last detected on a British Columbia poultry operation, and permits are no longer required for the movement of birds and bird products within the province.
International requirements are still in place , which restrict the exports of Canadian birds and bird products.
The CFIA established the primary control zones in January in an attempt to stop the spread of avian influenza in B.C. birds.
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Almost 250,000 birds have tested positive for avian influenza and been destroyed to try and eliminate the disease since the outbreak Dec. 1.
Surveillance by the CFIA has not detected the H5N2 and H5N1 strains of the virus in domestic poultry since Feb. 2.
All infected premises have been cleaned and disinfected. Three of the 11 premises are under quarantine for the remainder of their 21-day quarantine period to satisfy international requirements. Movements to and from these premises remains under CFIA control.
Surveillance testing of domestic poultry will be conducted throughout B.C. for 90 days following the completion of cleaning and disinfection of all infected premises. This surveillance is required under the standards established by the World Organization for Animal Health for countries establishing their avian influenza free status.
Canada is working with its trading partners to return to normal trading relations.
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