The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) have
signed an agreement allowing for the exchange of information when there are
outbreaks of chicken diseases.
The agreement is similar to one signed
in February by the board and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The aim is to improve response time and
effectiveness in managing fast-spreading poultry diseases such as avian
influenza, Newcastle Disease, Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT), certain
salmonellae and fowl cholera.
"This agreement provides our industry with a new tool to support our poultry disease emergency management framework,” said board chairman Henry Zantingh.
"It also recognizes the importance
of active communication and cooperation between the government and industry in
dealing with disease management in the poultry industry."
