Green Party Calls for Immediate Federal Action on Avian Flu Response Failures

Concerns Over Canada’s Avian Influenza Response

OTTAWA – The Green Party of Canada is worried about the federal government’s ability to handle the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). A recent media report highlighted major gaps in biosecurity, the cruel treatment of sick animals during “depopulation,” and inadequate public health measures.

A report by CTV National News exposed the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) insufficient response. In 2022, the government used over $100 million in taxpayer funds to compensate large poultry producers, but there were no requirements for improved biosecurity or animal welfare measures. This lack of regulation has left farms vulnerable to HPAI.

Currently, multiple farms in British Columbia have infected flocks, and a teenager in the province is critically ill after contracting the virus, marking the first reported human case in Canada.

The CFIA’s reliance on contractors for animal euthanasia resulted in violations of biosecurity protocols. The agency also tested unproven euthanasia methods that caused significant suffering, including suffocating birds with foam. This highlights the urgent need for regulated standards for these methods and increased transparency.

Elizabeth May, the Green Party Leader, stated, “This outbreak was a wake-up call for Canada to take meaningful action… The risk is too great to simply react and recklessly improvise.” She emphasized the need for the government to address the public health risks posed by large-scale factory farms.

For more information or interviews, contact:
Fabrice Lachance Nové
Press Secretary
514-463-0021
media@greenparty.ca