Abbotsford, BC – BC’s poultry industry groups and farmers are working with suppliers, veterinarians, and industry service providers to manage through concurrent emergencies – Fraser Valley flooding and avian influenza. More than a dozen commercial poultry farms are in the flood evacuation zone, and half of those have experienced flooding. Some birds have been lost, though efforts to sandbag barns and other precautions saved others.

The sector has formed the BC Poultry Industry Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), which is coordinating a joint response. That EOC is monitoring incoming weather and sending out updates to industry partners as the situation evolves.

“For us, this is all about protecting local food raised on family farms in the Fraser Valley and across BC,” says Kevin Klippenstein, Chair of the BC Chicken Marketing Board and a member of the industry EOC. “This emergency underlines two truths – how well Canada’s supply management system serves Canadians, and the importance of protecting Fraser Valley farmland from flooding.

“Supply management is the framework for our effective EOC, which brings together all the commercial poultry sectors in BC to support farmers and industry partners and ensure a steady supply of chicken, turkey, and eggs in any emergency,” he says.

Klippenstein added the Fraser Valley is BC’s breadbasket, home to hundreds of farms filling family tables across the province – not just with turkey, chicken, and egg but other food from berries to potatoes.

“Fraser Valley farmland feeds us and must be protected from flooding,” he says. “Once we are through these emergencies, we look forward to sitting down with all levels of government to consider lessons learned, especially given our experience compared to the floods in 2021. We are optimistic that those conversations will result in real action this time.”

Shawn Hall, director of the EOC, adds collaboration with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, local officials, and the CFIA has been crucial in handling both the flooding and avian influenza.

“This is a challenging time for BC’s poultry farmers, with flooding occurring in the midst of an active avian influenza outbreak,” Hall says. “For those British Columbians who want to support local farmers, the best thing you can do is look for BC poultry and other products when you are buying groceries for you family table.” British Columbians without an emergency need to be in the region can also avoid the flooded area to reduce congestion for the emergency response and urgent agricultural activities.

Media contact:
Shawn Hall, Director
BC Poultry Industry Emergency Operations Centre
media@bcpoultry.org
604-619-7913