Delta MLA raises alarm for B.C. poultry hit by avian flu

The MLA for Delta South and the BC Conservative Party’s agriculture critic is calling on the BC NDP government to do more to address the avian flu outbreaks in the province.

Ian Paton took to social media Tuesday, claiming that the governing party has remained “absolutely silent” as farms in B.C. fall to the effects of the deadly virus.

Roughly four-dozen flocks, most of them commercial, have been infected with avian flu in B.C. this fall. Infections flair during migratory seasons, as wild birds are considered the chief cause of infections.

Almost seven million birds have been culled at B.C. farms since the spring of 2022. 

Paton acknowledged that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) compensates farmers for the euthanization of their birds, but says that doesn’t make up for the emotional toll.

“Our poultry farmers in B.C. are devastated by the emotional stress of losing all their flock,” the conservative party’s agriculture critic said.

The BC NDP government, for its part, has put together some mental health resources for farmers.

“Loss of animals to [avian flu] can have a profound effect on our lives and our wellbeing. Help and resources for people who need to talk or feel overwhelmed are available,” the B.C. government website reads.

But Paton tells 1130 NewsRadio that, as a farmer himself, he knows what it’s like to lose livestock and says there are other costs associated with the loss.

“Paying for the disinfecting your barns and damage to your barns, and the composting of the birds and disposing of all that that’s left to the farmer to deal with. And we’re simply asking, ‘Look, could government step up with some sort of low-interest or no-interest loans to get these farmers through until they get back on their feet several months later, after they’ve been hit with avian influenza?’”

He says farming in B.C. is becoming so high-risk due to the ongoing effects of climate-change — including increased viral infections — that many are forced to leave the industry.

“This is maybe the second or third time that the same poultry farms have been hit with this. And how many financial hits can you take every year with losses to livestock or to poultry?” 

He says he’s frustrated with the BC NDP’s response to the outbreaks so far.

“Step up, pay attention to these devastated poultry farmers in B.C., and give them the support that they need if we want our farmers to continue on.”

The CFIA says avian influenza is not a food safety concern, and there is no evidence to suggest that eating cooked poultry or eggs could transmit it to humans.

It says additional primary control zones, which seek to prevent the flu’s spread, will be created as required.

—With files from Ben Bouguerra