Representatives from federal,
provincial and municipal governments and the poultry industry concluded two
days of meetings today with a commitment to strengthen future responses to
animal disease outbreaks. The Canadian Poultry Industry Forum brought together
more than 190 stakeholders to share perspectives on the avian influenza
outbreak that affected the Fraser Valley last spring.
    The forum opened with an overview of the outbreak, which clearly
demonstrated the unprecedented challenges posed by the scope and scale of the
situation. Senior officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA);
the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (BCMAFF); and
the poultry industry chaired the forum and commended the joint efforts of
governments, industry and area residents in the face of such unpredictable
adversity.
    The response operation was successful in eradicating highly pathogenic
avian influenza from domestic birds in the affected area, confronting the
potential for human illness and working together with national industry
agencies in mitigating disruptions to the Canadian poultry industry.
    Forum participants shared the concern that today´s global movement of
people and commodities means that threats such as avian influenza will likely
emerge more frequently in the future. This consensus underscored the ongoing
need for coordinated emergency response capacity, and views were openly
exchanged on how future operations should be strengthened.
    Government and industry representatives pledged to review and enhance
their respective emergency management plans. In particular the CFIA and the
BCMAFF agreed to update and exercise the joint federal Foreign Animal Disease
Eradication Support Plan. The parties recognized the need to collaboratively
define roles and responsibilities with all levels of government and industry
stakeholders during an emergency.
    Federal and provincial governments also initiated discussions on
strengthening linkages between laboratories participating in foreign animal
disease testing and surveillance.
    Avian influenza virus is present worldwide and carried by wild birds,
making biosecurity the most important preventative measure that all
stakeholders can take to protect the health of domestic flocks. The poultry
industry proposed to work with national, provincial and local authorities to
develop biosecurity protocols that enhance existing measures.
    Industry also tabled a number of proposals for new approaches to animal
disease management. These included the establishment of a national working
group to standardize biosecurity in the poultry industry and the creation of
mechanisms to help improve rapid response and containment initiatives for any
future outbreaks.
    Governments committed to review these proposals in detail, considering
their compatibility with existing animal disease management strategies and
regulations. In addition, the three parties agreed on the need to review
compensation levels under the Health of Animals Act.
    Forum participants discussed the complex threats to human and animal
health posed by diseases such as avian influenza. The CFIA, Health Canada and
the newly established Public Health Agency of Canada committed to form a
closer working relationship. The federal government, with support from both
provincial human and animal health authorities, will work toward the
refinement of generic and disease-specific national emergency management
plans, with a focus on prevention, early detection and rapid response.
    The three co-chairs committed to produce a summary of the proceedings by
mid-November. In addition, all participants committed to responding to all
recommendations before Christmas.

For further information: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Paul Lackhoff, 
(403) 813-6523, Media relations: (613) 228-6682; Public Health Agency of 
Canada/Health Canada, Blair Parkhurst, (604) 666-2310; Province of British 
Columbia, Dave Townsend, (250) 889-5945; Industry, Natalie Brown,         
(604) 319-2972