Regulatory Compliance
Practicing good biosecurity, particularly concerning Avian Influenza, is crucial for the well-being of the poultry sector and public health at large. It is mandatory to follow any instructions you receive from regulators if there have been infections in your area.
You must also follow all General Orders from the Chief Veterinarian regarding poultry. You can stay up-to-date with general orders on the BC Office of the Chief Veterenarian’s website.
Ensure you Comply with the Following Regulations:
Hold a Premises ID
If raising poultry, you must hold a Premises ID Number from the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
It is crucial that poultry producers of any scale hold a premises ID to help health officials accurately track how AI and other diseases spread from farm to farm.
Holding a premises ID also ensures that you will receive a warning if your flock is at increased risk due to a nearby AI outbreak.
You can register for a Premises ID by clicking here.
Report all Reportable Diseases Within 24 Hours
It is mandatory to report the suspected presence of certain diseases in your flock, including AI, to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and BC Office of Chief Veterinarian at the Animal Health Centre.
You can find a list of reportable diseases on the BC Office of the Chief Veterinarian’s website, as well as their contact information, by clicking here.
You can find contact information for your local branch of the CFIA by clicking here.
Hold an Appropriate Marketing Permit from the BC Chicken Marketing Board
If raising 200-2000 meat chickens per year, you need to apply for a small lot permit with the BC Chicken Marketing Bird
If you have a small lot permit, it is mandatory to submit all chicken placement (chicks bought from hatcheries) and processing records to the BC Chicken Marketing Board annually.
The annual fee for a permit is $20.
If raising more than 2000 meat chickens annually, you need to hold BC chicken quota.
You can find more information and apply for a Small Lot Permit by clicking here.
Hold an Appropriate Marketing Permit from the BC Turkey Marketing Board
If you are raising under 50 turkeys per year, you only need a Premises ID.
If you are raising 50-300 turkeys per year, you need to apply for the BC Turkey Marketing Board’s Direct Vendor Program.
In this Program, you are only allowed to sell turkeys directly to consumers or independent restaurants through this program, not to any wholesalers or grocery stores.
The annual fee for the Direct Vendor Program is $75.
If raising more than 300 turkeys annually, you need to hold BC turkey quota.
You can find more information and apply to the direct vendor program by clicking here.
Hold an Appropriate Marketing Permit from the BC Egg Marketing Board
If you are raising under 99 egg layers, you only need a Premises ID.
If raising 99-399 layer hens, you need to apply for a Small Lot Permit with the BC Egg Marketing Board.
Small Lot producers must sell eggs directly to consumers, in packaging labeled “ungraded” in large lettering.
Your farm will be visited annually by an Egg Board employee and your flock must be tested for salmonella annually.
The annual fee for a Small Lot Permit is $250.
If raising more than 399 egg layers, you need to hold BC egg quota.
You can apply for the Small Lot Permit by clicking here.
Permits for Bird Movement During Outbreaks
A permit is required to move chickens through or out of a Primary Control Zone during an outbreak. This is important to keep in mind when there is an outbreak at a neighbouring farm. A map of active outbreaks and control zones can be found by clicking here.
