Last Friday, Brome Lake Ducks announced a fourth production site has tested positive for avian influenza, this time in their facility in St-Georges-de-Windsor.
In a press release, the duck-breeding company reiterated its cooperation with provincial and federal authorities, adding they would not provide any further comments on the situation. The focus now is on managing the outbreak and planning its upcoming recovery operations.
The Record spoke to Compton—Stanstead MP and Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau about the devastating impact avian flu has had on Brome Lake Ducks. Bibeau noted the federal government is working closely with the company to find a solution.
“It is heart breaking, of course, it’s a business that we’re proud of in the Eastern Townships. And understanding that this business has been affected so much, it’s heart breaking, but we want to be there for support. Our farmers work so hard,” she said in a phone interview.
There are a number of risk management programs available for farmers, Bibeau explained, sharing that the AgriStability Program is typically the first step for farmers in this position because it protects Canadian producers against large declines. However, this is different.
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