It could be the end of the year before birds are back in Pedigree Poultry’s broiler breeder barns.
A labour shortage is hindering the dry cleaning that must precede wet cleaning and disinfecting, all necessary after the business at Regina Beach, Sask., was hit with the deadly H7N3 avian influenza.
Fewer than 10 people are working to dismantle everything in nine barns, each longer than a Canadian football field although about one-quarter as wide.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency can’t lift the quarantine on the property until 21 days after the barns, vehicles, equipment and tools have all been disinfected.
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Another 90 days after that, Canada could apply to the World Organization for Animal Health to be an avian influenza-free zone and export markets could reopen.
Last week, the inspection agency lifted the restrictions on the movement of live birds and poultry products in Saskatchewan.
All 50,000 birds at Pedigree Poultry were destroyed and buried in a remote location on the property after the virus was detected in late September.
Joy Smith, co-chair of the Saskatchewan Poultry Industry Emergency Management Team and general manager of Saskatchewan Egg Producers, said all broiler breeder and turkey operations in the province, half the egg operations and about 40 percent of the chicken farms were subsequently tested.
All were negative for both H7 and H5 strains of avian influenza, resulting in the return to normal domestic movement, she said.
When the disease was first confirmed, CFIA officials expected Pedigree Poultry could be back in business within weeks, but the cleanup is taking longer than anticipated.
Smith said all waste and organic material must be removed during the dry clean phase. Anything in the barns has to be taken apart, lifted and separated to expose every surface for cleaning.
Broiler breeder barns are more difficult to clean than other poultry operations. There are nests to be dismantled and removed.
“It is a huge labour intensive job,” she said. “What’s taking so long is, it is very difficult to find the labour.”
The job is dirty and workers must suit up in full protective gear and masks.
Occupational health and safety regulations also require workers to have this season’s flu shot and take antiviral pills (Tamiflu) to protect them from both human and avian influenza viruses.
A spokesperson for the Public Health Agency of Canada said it recommends such measures but it’s up to provincial agencies to make the decision to enforce them.
A Saskatchewan labour department spokesperson said the decision was made in consultation with the health region and other provincial officials.
However, the requirements were withdrawn last week for any new workers entering the barns, after officials decided the risk of contracting flu was sufficiently reduced. Workers already taking the antiviral pills must finish their course of treatment.
When the dry clean is complete, the wet clean and disinfection won’t take as long because power washers can be used.
“We are hoping the producer will be able to place birds in his barns by the end of December,” said Smith.
