August 1, 2014
Canada's chicken organisation to receive funding for disease control research
The Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan, Canada, will be awarded a funding of US$251.580 to undertake a research project on disease control in its broiler industry.
It is hoped the project will result in the identification and characterisation of new variants of avian reovirus, as well as determining how they are transmitted. Researchers will also look to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of vaccines for inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) in field trials.
According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the ability to commercialise these vaccines could potentially reduce economic losses in the Canadian broiler industry.
Brad Trost, a member of parliament, said: "Our government supports the Canadian chickenindustry's ability to seek innovative solutions which will help it to prosper and remain competitive. This project involves the development of control measures for emerging diseases impacting the sector, thereby helping it to remain a significant contributor to Canada's economy."
Diane Pastoor, the chair of the Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan, added: "Research will be conducted through the University of Saskatchewan by Dr Susantha Gomis and will assist the industry in improving flock health and reducing the usage of antibiotics."