Canada announces US$5.1M research funding for poultry sector

CANADA – Canada’s Agriculture Minister, Lawrence MacAulay, has recently unveiled plans to inject a US$5.1M investment in the country’s sustainable poultry sector.

Lawrence said this while he visited the University of Guelph’s research facilities, engaging with researchers to explore their ongoing projects to advance the country’s poultry sector.

During the visit, MacAulay emphasised the federal government’s recent commitment of US$5.16 million to the Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC) under the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component, part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The funding is intended to support research collaborations focused on enhancing animal welfare across the poultry production chain. 

The research also seeks to address consumer demand for healthier and safer poultry products while reducing the environmental impact of poultry farming. 

This includes improving air quality, lowering emissions, and assessing the effects on both humans and birds in surrounding areas.

Several ongoing projects under this initiative include using Canadian fruit waste to create innovative poultry feed ingredients, managing environmental factors to mitigate the risk of avian influenza, researching alternatives to antimicrobial use, and optimising feed to reduce particulate emissions from farms.

According to MacAulay, research and innovation are key to ensuring that the poultry industry continues adopting sustainable practices while maintaining high animal welfare standards.

Canada’s poultry industry is already experiencing growth. In 2023, the country produced 1.4 billion kilograms of chicken and 159.3 million kilograms of turkey, with chicken production increasing by 3.3% and turkey production by 6.1% compared to the previous year. 

That same year, Canada imported 198.5 million kilograms of chicken meat and related products, primarily from the United States, Brazil, and Thailand, while exporting 112.8 million kilograms of chicken to over 45 countries. 

The United States, the Philippines, and Ghana were the largest buyers of Canadian poultry.

Egg sales in Canada rose significantly in 2023, reaching US$2.2 billion, an 8.4% year-over-year increase. 

Chicken remains the most popular meat in the country, with 84% of Canadians purchasing fresh chicken regularly.

This latest investment is part of broader efforts to ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability, which plays a critical role in both domestic and international markets.

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