Antibiotic Use Policy Changes Compliment What Chicken Farmers are Already Doing

The Executive Director of Alberta Chicken Producers says changes to Health Canada’s antibiotic use policies, designed to reduce antibiotic use in livestock production, support what chicken farmers are already doing

by Bruce Cochrane – FarmScape Online

As part of a Swine Innovation Porc pre-conference session, set for tomorrow in conjunction with the Banff Porc Seminar, “How other commodities are dealing with antibiotics, the chicken industry’s story” will be discussed.

Alberta Chicken Producers Executive Director Karen Kirkwood says Health Canada’s antibiotic policy changes introduced in December compliment and support the antibiotic reduction strategy implemented by Chicken Farmers of Canada.

“The Chicken Farms of Canada believes that this is a sustainable means of meeting expectations while protecting the health of our birds”

“Chicken Farms of Canada is very committed to this issue and has been for a number of years.

“This is what drives our policy development and work nationally and at the provincial level as well.

“As part of the Chicken Farms of Canada’s five year strategic plan which was from 2014 to 2018 the actions with respect to antibiotic reduction included the development of a strategic plan for reduction as well as implementation of a reduction strategy when it comes to antibiotics that are of important use to human medicine.

“These deliverables are expanded upon in Chicken Farms of Canada’s new five year strategic plan which includes more specific deadline dates for further reduction and collaboration with value chain members to modify management practices for continuous improvement.

“The Chicken Farms of Canada approach has helped to satisfy the requests of retailers, restaurants and consumers and the industry believes that this is a sustainable means of meeting expectations while protecting the health of our birds.

“We believe that an educated consumer will help this approach as valid and credible in meeting the common objectives of both the industry and the consumers.”

Kirkwood says this an ongoing journey, Chicken Farmers of Canada is highly committed to its antibiotic use reduction strategy and it’s ever evolving.