Abbotsford, March 3, 2008 - Owners of small or backyard poultry flocks are invited to attend a free information session on how to help prevent and detect poultry diseases, such as avian influenza. The session is being hosted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (BCMAL).
Area bird owners and the general public are welcome to drop in from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at the Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre located at 36035 North Parallel Road in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Veterinarians from the CFIA and BCMAL will be available to answer questions.
A series of presentations will also be held throughout the evening. Topics include preventing the spread and introduction of disease, how to spot the signs of illness and what to do if a disease is detected.
This session is one of three being held in early 2008 in British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Ontario. Additional sessions are being planned for other areas of Canada later in 2008.
For more information about this public information session, please call Mark Clarke from the CFIA at 604-666-1357 or Dr. Bill Cox from the BCMAL Animal Health Branch at 1-800-661-9903 or 604-556-3003. Additional information is also available on the CFIA website, www.inspection.gc.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
1-800-442-2342
