FRASER VALLEY, BC, Dec. 22, 2014
/CNW/ - British Columbians love turkey and eggs every holiday
season, and this year is no different, according to industry
experts.
The industry representing poultry farmers who raise chickens,
turkeys, eggs and broiler hatching eggs, want consumers to know
that poultry supply in BC is not an issue this holiday season.
"We've been working hard to ensure that turkeys are available to
everyone who wants one for their holiday dinners," says
Michel Benoit, General Manager of BC
Turkey Farmers, "We've supplemented our stock with turkeys from
other provinces and prices will remain stable. So everyone can
continue to enjoy this festive time of the year."
The industry also notes that poultry and egg products from BC
are safe to eat.
"We want to reassure the public that yes, poultry and egg
products are safe to eat," says Ray
Nickel, President of the BC Poultry Association. "Health
Canada has stated there is no
evidence that consuming poultry or eggs can transmit the avian
influenza virus to humans."
Nickel adds, "Continue to handle poultry products in a hygienic
manner as you normally would – cooking them to the right
temperature and cleaning work surfaces and washing your hands after
handling the products."
Results from a national survey released today by the Canadian
poultry and egg industry show that 92 per cent of British
Columbians trust that the Canadian poultry and egg industries are
doing all they can to contain the current avian influenza outbreak.
In addition:
- 94 per cent of BC residents have eaten poultry and eggs since
the outbreak.
- 92 per cent of British Columbians plan on eating the same
amount of poultry and eggs as they did before the outbreak,
indicating that avian flu has not deterred them from their normal
consumption habits.
- 80 per cent of BC residents are not concerned about catching
avian flu from eating poultry and eggs, while 77 per cent are not
worried about catching avian flu in general.
All poultry and egg farmers and their supporting organizations
have been working diligently with the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency (CFIA), as well as other federal and provincial governments
and agencies, and are being extremely vigilant in practicing strict
biosecurity protocols to protect their flock and prevent further
spread.
Moreover, the primary control zones placed by the CFIA only
applies to the poultry and egg farms, their flocks and their
workers, visitors to these farms and people with pet birds. It does
not impact the general public living or driving in those areas.
For more information on the avian influenza, please visit the
CFIA website at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca.
SOURCE CHICKEN FARMERS OF CANADA