Governments commit to help chicken farmers during emergencies

The federal and provincial government recently announced they are funding a program to help ensure chickens are handled humanely through emergency situations.

Both governments are contributing up to $350,873 in cost-share funding to help create a third-party service that will strengthen emergency response during such events as a disease outbreak, barn damage from fire or extreme weather.

Funding will be provided to the Chicken Farmers of Ontario, which is working alongside the Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chicken Commission and the Association of Ontario Chicken Processors under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership).

"Investing in emergency preparedness and management strategies helps support the Ontario poultry farmers in their efforts to raise healthy, productive and well-cared for animals and ensure a strong and sustainable path forward for the sector," said Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food, in a press release.

This project falls under the Protection and Assurance stream of the Partnership, which supports livestock and poultry farmers in Ontario to be competitive, productive and profitable while managing animal health and food safety risks.