Turkey farmers sound alarm over shortages as cases of avian flu rise
Turkey farmers are sounding the alarm as the avian flu spreads, killing birds across the country, leaving many left to find alternatives for Christmas dinner.
Staff with Christmas Cheer, a Barrie-based charity, cancelled an order of over 1,600 turkeys meant for holiday hampers for needy families because of the significant supply shortages.
"We give them a Turkey dinner, but this year, we will have to replace it with something different," said Steph Quenneville, the charity's president.
Quenneville said it's the first time in 44 years the charity has had challenges providing the holiday staple dinner.
"We're going to serve 1,600 hams to our Christmas cheer families this year," she said.
Turkey Farmers of Ontario told CTV News that one of the possible reasons could be a lack of frozen birds, with holiday trends shifting to fresh birds.
"The storage stock of turkeys is at one of its lowest points in the last 30 years," said Brian Ricker.
The changes in how people prepare turkeys also come at a time when avian influenza is spreading in parts of the country, including Ontario.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reports that Ontario has 10 infected locations impacting 692,700 birds.
It's unclear how many of those birds are turkeys.
British Columbia has 43 infected locations, impacting 866,200 as of November 30.
"It appears that the virus is more prevalent this year as we've seen in last years here in B.C.," noted B.C. Poultry Association chief information officer Amanda Brittain. "Here in B.C., this is our fifth outbreak of influenza."
Brittain said humans aren't at risk of contracting avian influenza, and farmers are following strict safety protocols, including changing clothes and disinfecting every time they enter or exit the facility to prevent containments.
Mark Reusser and his flock of turkeys in Ontario remain safe, but he remains on edge as the reports of avian influenza continue to surface.
"Very concerned. It's not something any farmer wants to deal with," said Reusser.
Infected birds have to be euthanized to prevent the further transmission of the highly contagious avian flu.
The long-time farmer says seeing flocks killed elsewhere heightens anxiety as the future remains uncertain of if or when the avian flu infects his birds.
"It can be devastating to economics and income but also devastating in terms of mental health," said Reusser.
Turkey Farmers of Ontario says there is enough supply for the demand right now, but it is monitoring the situation in the province and across the country.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it's too late
Christine Roess is a retired consultant. Ezra Bozeman has spent the last 49 years in prison, serving a life sentence for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Against the odds, the two fell in love.