MONTREAL – The government of Canada announced an investment of C$8.24 million to the Canadian Poultry Research Council. The funds are in addition to an investment of C$3.78M from industry.

The funding will be used to develop new products and processes that improve poultry health and welfare and address threats to Canada’s poultry value chain. The CPRC will also develop best management practices at the farm level to improve food safety and reinforce public trust.

“Funding for the third poultry science cluster allows the poultry industry to conduct research projects that reflect the priorities of the industry and Canadian consumers,” said Helen Anne Hudson, president, Canadian Poultry Research Council. “The Canadian poultry farmers are constantly evolving their production practices in response to these priorities which include: the enhancement of the health and welfare of the animals, improving food safety, development of innovations in antimicrobial alternatives and vaccines development, as well as research in preserving the environment and long-term sustainability of the poultry industry in Canada.

“As part of the cluster, funding will also be used for knowledge and technology transfer to farmers and other poultry value chain members such as input suppliers, processors and the retail component of the industry.”

The Canadian Poultry Research Council develops and implements programs for poultry research in Canada. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau toured the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Univ. of Montreal in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec when she announced the funding, which is administered under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriScience Program Clusters.

“Our government is committed to helping Canada’s poultry sector maintain consumer trust and stay on the cutting edge by finding new and innovative solutions to challenges faced by the industry,” Bibeau said. “This funding will play an important part in ensuring that the sector is able to continue to grow sustainably and do more to meet high consumer demand.”