Bird flu causes border restrictions

By Ashley Ann Mentley

Recent cases of avian influenza in the U.S. are causing restrictions on imports at the Windsor-Detroit border potentially affecting items such as eggs and poultry.

Avian influenza, more commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  The disease, which is often transmitted through wild birds, can also spread through contaminated “manure, litter, clothing, footwear, vehicles, equipment, feed and water.”

On Jan. 26 the CFIA issued an updated report reflecting new cases in California where over 50 per cent of a commercial turkey flock died.   The agency works closely with the Canadian Border Services Agency in Windsor and other border cities to ensure that these products do not enter Canada.

“All raw poultry, poultry products and by-products that are not fully cooked, including eggs and raw pet foods originating from the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California are prohibited from entering Canada until further notice,” said Diana Scott, a communications officer at the Sothern Ontario Region Branch of the CBSA.

Some local residents, who prefer to do their grocery shopping in Michigan, said they were not aware of the current restrictions.  Patti Dubois, 53, said she makes about two trips to Detroit’s Whole Foods every month.

“I buy chicken and eggs from Whole Foods all the time,” Dubois said.  She said she does not know about the restrictions and also does not know how to learn if and when they will be lifted.

Dubois, who shops at Whole Foods for the atmosphere and experience, said she has never had any trouble at the border when bringing her groceries back to her home in Tecumseh.

According to Scott, as long as travelers properly declare their groceries and are not in possession of any restricted items, they should have no problems.  The disposal of such restricted items, however, falls under the International Waste Directive that is in place to prevent diseases such as bird flu from crossing international borders.

Scott said should any restricted items be confiscated and in need of disposal, only “CFIA approved haulers are allowed to transport international waste.”

The California Department of Food and Agriculture issued a statement Jan. 31 confirming all “poultry and eggs that are cooked properly are still safe to consume.”

There are currently no cases of infected flocks in Canada and the CFIA said all measures are being taken to prevent the bird flu from being introduced into Canada.

 

Side Bar:

The C.F.I.A.’s avian influenza emergency response strategy:

• the humane destruction of all infected and exposed animals
• surveillance and tracing of potentially infected or exposed animals
• strict quarantine and animal movement controls to prevent disease spread
• strict decontamination of infected premises
• zoning to define infected and disease-free areas