Effective February 13th, 2024, the Chief Veterinarian has removed General Order AIV2023-04 which prohibited commingling of poultry in the lower mainland.
If your flock is in an active Avian Influenza (AI) Primary Control Zone (PCZ), you will still need a permit to move your birds, their products, and by-products. Permits are required for both small and commercial flocks. More information can be found at:
Avian influenza – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) 101yonderfarms@gmail.com
It is recommended that anyone attending a poultry commingling event continue to follow the guidelines listed below.
For 10 days preceding the commingling event:
- Maintain a closed flock;
- All persons who enter and exit the flock area use clean, dedicated boots, gloves and over-clothing in the flock housing area;
- Minimize equipment movement into the closed flock housing area and ensure any required equipment is clean and dry before it is moved into the closed flock housing area;
- Exclude wild birds from the flock area; and,
- Monitor the flock diligently for signs of illness and ensure birds from flocks with signs of illness are not brought to commingling events.
At the commingling event:
- Minimize handling of birds;
- Maintain a distance of 2 metres between birds from different premises, and between birds and the public; and,
- Use boot wash and hand sanitizer before entering and before exiting.
Bird owners are legally responsible to notify authorities of serious bird diseases such as bird flu. Do not take sick birds off the property.
If you suspect birds you own have AI:
- Call your veterinarian
- Contact your nearest Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Animal Health office
- Call the BC Animal Health Centre at 1-800-661-9903
More information on AI can be found here:
- Avian influenza – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
- Protect your flock from bird flu – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca)
For other inquiries, contact AgriServiceBC at 1-888-221-7141.
Thank you,
Emergency Duty Manager,
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
AF.Emergency.Management@gov.bc.ca
Bird owners are legally responsible to notify authorities of serious bird diseases such as bird flu. Do not take sick birds off the property.
If you suspect birds you own have AI:
- Call your veterinarian
- Contact your nearest Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Animal Health office
- Call the BC Animal Health Centre at 1-800-661-9903
More information on AI can be found here:
- Avian influenza – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
- Protect your flock from bird flu – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca)
For other inquiries, contact AgriServiceBC at 1-888-221-7141.
Thank you,
Emergency Duty Manager,
Ministry of Agriculture and Food