Federal testing for the presence of low pathogenic avian influenza in Canada's commercial poultry flock is underway. Farmers can expect to be on the financial hook for clean-up costs if the disease is found on their farm.
July marks the month insurance will be made available to Ontario’s poultry producers to cover costs of an avian influenza outbreak but those in the industry say whether they buy it will depend on price.
Some Ontario farmers will soon be able to buy insurance for disease outbreak costs that aren’t covered by governments. The insurance is being offered in a one-year pilot project coordinated by the Ontario Livestock and Poultry Council and involving several other industry and commodity groups.