Several white chickens stand on the snow just outside a backyard coop.

Canada reports outbreak of H5N5 bird flu on backyard farm

PARIS (Reuters) – Canada has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N5 avian influenza on a non-commercial backyard layer poultry farm in the eastern part of the country, the World Organization for Animal Health said on Tuesday. The spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has ravaged flocks around the world, disrupting supply and […] Read more

Cows being milked on the rotary system at the ter Borgh dairy farm near Leduc, Alta. A bill that would exclude Canada's supply managed sectors from international trade negotiations is unlikely to pass, according to a senator. | File photo

Supply management bill unlikely to go anywhere

Senate committee amends bill, and even if it returns to the House, it is unlikely to be debated due to opposition filibuster REGINA — A Senate committee amendment has rendered Bill C-282 effectively useless. Senator Peter Harder moved the amendment during clause-by-clause consideration by the foreign affairs and international trade committee Nov. 6 and it […] Read more

This bird takes time out for a drink during Canadian Western Agribition. Migrating wildfowl are once again threatening domestic poultry with avian flu. | Karen Briere photo

Avian flu is back

As migratory birds wing their way south, they’re leaving cases of bird flu in their wake across the country. The problem is especially acute in British Columbia, where producers, industry groups and governments are trying to keep the seasonal problem from worsening. Eight premises are currently infected with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in […] Read more


The National Farmers Union urges the Canadian Senate to pass a private member’s bill that would stop negotiators from making supply management concessions during future trade talks. | FILE PHOTO

Keep dairy, eggs and poultry Canadian

The Senate needs to pass Bill C-282 to prevent future trade negotiators from bargaining away more of Canada’s supply-managed dairy, poultry or egg markets, now served by Canadian farmers and benefiting the Canadian economy and food system. The House of Commons passed this bill with over 80 percent of MPs in favour. To become law, […] Read more

Photo: File

Bird flu spreads to California dairy cows

Cows at three dairy farms in California tested positive for H5N1 bird flu at the end of August, marking an expansion of the virus into the largest dairy producing region of the United States, according to an announcement from the state’s agriculture department. More than 190 herds have been infected across the U.S. since March, […] Read more


Health experts have raised concerns about the risk to workers as they euthanize infected animals and the risk to the public if carcasses are transported to landfills.  |  Reuters/Richard Carson photo

Carcass disposal raises concerns amid avian flu’s spread

American health experts worry that the methods used to dispose of culled animals will further spread the disease

REUTERS — The spread of avian flu among poultry and dairy farms has heightened health experts’ concerns that the process of killing and disposing of birds infected with the virus may pose a risk to humans and livestock. Recent instances of farms dumping carcasses in landfills and using methods to kill chickens that put workers […] Read more

The poultry industry says China’s failure to lift bans 90 days after states eliminate avian flu from farms violates the Phase 1 trade agreement signed in 2020.  |  Reuters/ Mike Blake photo

U.S. poultry bans continue

CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — U.S. poultry producers say they face prolonged economic pain from avian flu despite going months without infections in flocks as China and some smaller importers fail to lift trade bans implemented during the nation’s worst-ever outbreak of the virus. The lingering bans, imposed last year to prevent the spread of the […] Read more

Shayan Sharif, Ontario Veterinary College

Avian flu risk continues despite lull, researchers warn

Poultry farms in Western Canada saw few cases of the disease this spring, but the reasons continue to remain unclear

It was a quiet spring for avian influenza outbreaks at commercial poultry operations in Western Canada. Only two commercial operations, one each in Alberta and British Columbia, have reported infections, compared with the dozens hit in 2022 in both provinces. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have seen no cases so far this year. Last year, a highly […] Read more


Francis Drouin, parliamentary secretary to agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced the new market development program late last month. Drouin noted that the sectors combined sell more than $3 billion in product each year. | Getty Images

Poultry marketing receives federal funding

Canada’s chicken and turkey sectors are getting $3.5 million in federal funding in the first year of a 10-year program to step up marketing and drive domestic consumption. Francis Drouin, parliamentary secretary to agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced the new market development program late last month. Chicken Farmers of Canada will get $1 million, and […] Read more