Some butchers in the London area report 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 in Strathroy-Caradoc affected nearly 100,000 turkeys, all still active. The CFIA confirmed that the affected birds will be humanely depopulated without disclosing farm names or exact locations.
Hayter’s Farm in Dashwood, a major turkey supplier in Ontario, stated that while they are not directly impacted, one of their breeding suppliers in Strathroy is. This situation may pose challenges in the coming months, affecting egg production. Sean Maguire, the CEO of Hayter’s Farm, mentioned the potential ripple effects in the industry due to the recent turkey culls impacting breeding birds and egg production.
Despite the outbreak, there is no evidence from the CFIA suggesting that avian influenza can be transmitted through fully cooked poultry or eggs. The prevalent strain, H5N1, is highly contagious among domestic poultry. Avian flu can affect various bird species and, in rare cases, can infect humans through close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
Local butcher shops like Pete Charlton’s Quality Meats in St. Thomas are still receiving turkey orders for the holiday season, with no significant decrease in demand despite customer inquiries about avian flu. Similarly, Western Meats in London confirms that their supply remains unaffected, indicating that it’s business as usual.
In light of these developments, the holiday turkey supply chain appears to be stable, reassuring consumers and businesses in the London area.
