April 1, 2004

Canada Poultry Industry Hit By Bird Flu Outbreak

The Canadian poultry industry saw more than 200 job losses as poultry production workers were laid off as a result of the bird flu outbreak in British Columbia.

Lilydale Food Products in Port Coquitlam has already laid off 40 workers, and plans to let another 100 go by the end of the week.

United Food and Commercial Workers union spokesperson Andy Neufeld says he has also been told that another 100 people face unemployment at Sunrise Poultry in Surrey.

A spokesperson for the company wouldn't confirm the number of workers, but does say layoffs are imminent.

Neufeld says the workers are worried about the future of their jobs.

"Certainly there's some apprehension among the workers about what it means for the industry and what it means for their ability to earn a living."

Neufeld says the best workers can hope for now is that federal officials will get the crisis under control quickly, so that employees can get back to work.

Processing work has been slowing since the bird flu was discovered in the Fraser Valley last month.

Restrictions imposed by food and health officials mean processors in the Lower Mainland can only sell to customers in greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.