Canada’s turkey industry generates products worth $382.6 million, and up to $42.6 million in exports to 37 countries. Outbreaks of infectious diseases like avian influenza can impact producers’ ability to maintain operations and resume normal business practices, resulting in significant economic losses.

“Disease outbreaks can have a big impact on producers and our Government is working hard to support them when they face these challenges. This new insurance product will help Ontario turkey farmers in their efforts to protect their businesses and return to production following a sudden outbreak of avian influenza.”
-       The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 

“Ontario’s turkey farmers are a vital part of our communities. The development of this new risk management product is another example of how the Government of Canada and Turkey Farmers of Ontario are working together to keep the industry on even footing through challenges.”
-       Neil Ellis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 

“Ontario’s turkey farmers can be relied on for their commitment to producing high-quality products. This initiative will help ensure they can keep doing the work they love, running their farm businesses, so that consumers can enjoy healthy turkey products.”
-    Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga 

“The turkey industry has encountered numerous challenges over the past few years and this funding is very important for the implementation of an Avian Influenza Insurance Program. This will protect not only turkey producers but by extension the poultry industry in Ontario.”
-       Brian Ricker, Chair, Turkey Farmers of Ontario

• The AgriRisk Initiatives: Administrative Capacity Building Stream provides funding to implement and test new financial tools which allow producers to manage a defined business risk.

• Although avian influenza can affect all types of poultry, turkeys appear to be more susceptible than other poultry groups. 

• This new insurance product will be mandatory for all turkey farmers in Ontario and, once launched, will be administered by the Poultry Insurance Exchange Reciprocal of Canada.

• Established in 1965, Turkey Farmers of Ontario is a producer organization representing 176 turkey farmers across the province.

Associated links

• AgriRisk Initiatives
• Canadian Agricultural Partnership
• Turkey Farmers of Ontario

Jean-Sébastien Comeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
jean-sebastien.comeau@canada.ca
343-549-2326

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