Canada’s poultry and egg producers are key contributors to the Canadian economy, generating $4.2 billion in farm cash receipts

“Every poultry farmer knows how devastating an outbreak can be on their operations and their bottom lines. Our government is pleased to work with poultry organizations across Canada to ensure that farmers have the proper tools in place to manage those financial risks. These investments will support a stronger agriculture sector and the well-paid middle class jobs it provides.”

- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food

“Every day, poultry and egg producers work hard to keep their flocks safe, healthy and disease-free. By investing in these essential tools for our farmers, we are helping them to manage risks and access critical information. The investments announced today will help support the local economy of the London area, where many poultry farmers are located and supporting well-paid middle class jobs."

- Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre

“Since 2012, the Équipe québécoise de contrôle des maladies avicoles (ÉQCMA) has been working to develop and implement a compensation plan that will help Quebec’s poultry industry protect against potential major financial losses caused by six diseases. This project is another demonstration of the strength of the partnership that links the members of Quebec’s poultry industry as well as the relevance of the AgriRisk Initiatives that contributed greatly to this success.”

- Paulin Bouchard, President, ÉQCMA

“Canadian egg producers have developed an Avian influenza insurance product to cover losses not covered by the Health of Animals Act. This new coverage will provide for a quicker return to financial stability had this new product not been available. This achievement would have been considerably more difficult and not achievable had it not been for AAFC’s AgriRisk Initiative.”

- Andre Patry, General Manager, Canadian Egg Industry Reciprocal Alliance

“On behalf of the Ontario poultry industry, we thank the federal government for its financial support that has enabled the egg, hatchery, turkey and chicken sector to strengthen its approach to biosecurity and to advance insurance solutions to address poultry diseases in Ontario. Chicken Farmers of Ontario has been working towards implementing a disease insurance platform as a direct result of this federal support.”

- Ed Benjamins, Chair, Chicken Farmers of Ontario

“The Poultry Insurance Exchange Reciprocal of Canada is a specialty provider of insurance products that mitigates financial losses caused by disease. For years our subscribers have asked for a policy that protects them from financial losses due to Avian influenza. Only with the support of the AAFC were we in a position to develop the models and risk profiles that are necessary for the design and implementation of a policy that covers our egg supplies here in Ontario.”

- Martin Adema, Chair of the Poultry Insurance Exchange Reciprocal of Canada

• Canada’s poultry farmers generate $3 billion in farm cash receipts, in addition to the $1 billion generated by egg farmers. On the processing side, poultry processors have almost $8 billion in sales.

• The Canadian poultry sector employs over 100,000 Canadians.

• The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal-provincial and territorial governments, which will strengthen the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector, ensuring continued innovation, growth and prosperity.

• Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, producers will continue to have access to a robust suite of Business Risk Management programs to help manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farm and are beyond their capacity to manage.

Associated links

• AgriRisk Initiatives (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• Canadian Agricultural Partnership
• L’Équipe québécoise de contrôle des maladies avicoles (in French only)
• Canadian Egg Industry Reciprocal Alliance
• Chicken Farmers of Ontario
• Poultry Insurance Exchange

Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
media.relations@agr.gc.ca
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