Reporter: Kier Junos
In August 2025 the province announced it would help about 75 poultry farmers enhance their biosecurity measures with air filtration systems in their barns. Farmer Matt Burgsma took advantage of the provincial funding, available through the $2.5-million Novel Tools and Technology Program, and installed heat pumps with air filters to manage air flow into his barns – one of numerous ways he’s working to protect his flock from the disease. He interviewed with the CBC about the program as the fall 2025 wild bird migration got underway. The program was developed by one of several working groups of BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food staff, farmers, researchers, veterinarians, and barn engineers, all exploring a different stream of work in tools, technologies, and programs that might help mitigate the spread of avian influenza.