Some butchers in the London area affirm that holiday turkey availability remains unaffected despite an avian influenza outbreak in Ontario, resulting in the culling of tens of thousands of birds. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) identified highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a North Perth farm, impacting approximately 56,000 turkeys. Last month, five other outbreaks were reported in Strathroy-Caradoc, affecting nearly 100,000 turkeys, all of which are still active. The CFIA disclosed that the affected birds will be humanely depopulated, without revealing the farms’ names or precise locations.
Hayter’s Farm in Dashwood, one of Ontario’s major turkey suppliers, stated that while they are not directly affected, one of their breeding suppliers in Strathroy is, potentially posing challenges in the upcoming year. Sean Maguire, the CEO of Hayter’s, expressed concerns about a possible ripple effect over the next few months due to the recent turkey culls impacting breeding and egg production. He emphasized that turkeys currently reaching consumers’ tables for Christmas were already at Hayter’s barn before the outbreak, ensuring their health.
Maguire highlighted that although the meat supply remains stable, the replacement birds for future production might face delays. He mentioned that the industry could experience disruptions until an adequate number of breeding birds resume egg production, affecting turkey availability in about 12 to 16 weeks.
The CFIA reassured consumers that fully cooked poultry and eggs are safe for consumption, with no evidence indicating avian influenza transmission through these products. The prevalent strain, H5N1, is highly contagious and can swiftly spread within domestic poultry flocks. Avian flu can impact various bird species, including food-producing, pet, and wild birds, as well as mammals, potentially infecting humans through close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
Despite some shopper inquiries regarding avian flu, Peter Charlton’s Quality Meats in St. Thomas continues to receive turkey orders for holiday meals, expecting a shipment of around 200 turkeys soon. Similarly, other butchers in Ontario, such as Western Meats in London, report no disruptions, with regular turkey deliveries from suppliers. Business operations for these butchers remain unaffected amidst the ongoing avian flu situation.
