Ottawa and Quebec will financially support Canards du Lac-Brome so that the company recovers after outbreaks of avian flu that caused the loss of three of its farms.
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Acknowledging that the situation is “particularly difficult” for the company, the federal deputy for Brome-Missisquoi and minister responsible for the regional economic development agency, Pascale St-Onge, assured that she was in contact with the team to support the resumption of activities in a safe manner.
“I know that they are doubling their vigilance and showing great rigor in the application of biosecurity measures. Our government is supporting operations affected by the crisis with a series of risk management programs. We continue to follow the evolution of the situation closely,” she added in a press release on Thursday.
Before her, in Rimouski, the Premier of Quebec, François Legault, also confirmed his intention to support the company in a rapid revival of its activities.
In one week, the company lost 75% of its production due to bird flu outbreaks at three of its breeding sites.
The euthanasia of approximately 2,000 breeding birds at its Knowlton site and the destruction of over 400,000 incubating eggs had significant impacts for the company. It will take 10 to 12 months before activities return to normal.
In addition to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency compensation provided for culled birds, there are “a series of risk management programs” the company may be eligible for.
The company will have no choice but to carry out massive layoffs in four to five weeks, when it will have no more poultry to slaughter.
The processing plant located in Val des Sources employs nearly 200 of these skilled workers. At the heart of the concerns of the leaders, that of avoiding their exodus to other employers.
Canards du Lac-Brome serves 60% of the Canadian market with its various products. Its turnover is approximately 45 million dollars.
Renewing the genetic inventory of Pekin Ducks will take time, as the suppliers are located in France and England, two countries which are also affected by the spread of the H5N1 virus.