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VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell today engaged the full resources of the Provincial Emergency Program to support the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and other provincial ministries in containing and eradicating avian influenza.
“We are taking this action following discussions with stakeholders and with an understanding that resources should be in place to deal with any scenario that may arise,” said Campbell. “I have also been in contact with the Prime Minister and we agree that resources and ongoing co-operation between all levels of government are essential to eradicate avian influenza as quickly as is possible.”
“B.C. is engaging provincial emergency program staff to assist the CFIA with bird disposal and ongoing depopulation efforts,” said Rich Coleman, Minister for Public Safety and Solicitor General. “While the province and the CFIA are finalizing an intensive plan of action, we believe it’s important to devote every available resource."
The CFIA has overall responsibility for eradicating the influenza outbreak. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries will assist the CFIA in ensuring the safe and timely disposal of poultry carcasses and waste from infected flocks. In addition, the Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection and the Ministry of Health are providing technical expertise to ensure the safe depopulation of chickens.
“Engaging the emergency response structure will provide a helpful boost to our efforts and those of the CFIA,” said John van Dongen, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
“The province has been a valued partner, and the engagement of provincial emergency resources at this time is prudent as it will pave the way for a co-ordinated response to this outbreak,” added federal Agriculture Minister Bob Speller.
As of this morning, 29 of an estimated 600 commercial poultry farms in the Fraser Valley have tested positive for avian influenza. Approximately 900,000 birds from the infected farms have been depopulated and almost two-thirds of those have been disposed of.
Poultry carcasses must be safely disposed of in a way that poses no risk to the public. Federal, provincial, municipal and other representatives are engaged in finalizing a safe, more intensive process of processing the increased number of infected birds.
Disposal options for infected flocks include biological heat treatment, stabilization and composting; incineration; and landfill. All options are being reviewed to expedite this process and ensure B.C.’s poultry is able to move forward as quickly and safely as possible.
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