The provincial government in British Columbia is committing $2.5 million to help poultry farmers in the Fraser Valley strengthen their defenses against avian influenza. Roughly 75 farms are expected to benefit from the funding, which will support barn improvements designed to reduce the risk of the virus entering flocks.
Avian flu can spread through air circulation, contaminated water, and other environmental factors. Despite prevention efforts, nearly 200 outbreaks have been reported across the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland since 2022. These events have forced the culling of around nine million birds, highlighting the heavy toll the disease has taken on the industry.
The new funding is part of the Novel Tools and Technologies Program, which offers up to $30,000 per farm. Producers can use the support for future projects or for upgrades that began after January 1, 2025. Eligible enhancements include installing air filtration systems and ultraviolet light equipment to block potential pathways of infection.
Most of the upgrades are expected to be completed before the fall migration season, a period when wild birds heighten the risk of transmission to both commercial and backyard flocks. The last confirmed case of avian flu in a commercial poultry operation in B.C. occurred in January, following the previous fall migration.
Farmers in the region have been dealing with recurring outbreaks since 2004, making this investment another step in a long-term effort to protect flocks and maintain stability in the province’s food supply.
