Fraser Valley poultry farmers in high-risk areas get high

Fraser Valley poultry farmers in high-risk areas get high-tech tools to fight avian influenza

Published 2:29 pm Friday, June 5, 2026

High-risk area in the Fraser Valley for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in yellow. (IAFBC)

It’s another round of provincial funding to help Fraser Valley poultry producers get an extra layer of defence against avian influenza.

Poultry farm operators can apply for the pool of more than $1.4 million in the latest round of Novel Tools and Technologies funding, according to the June 2026 info bulletin from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

There are about 50 eligible commercial farms in the high-risk area that can be supported with the new tech in 2026, while 29 farms received more than $800,00 to install new barn technologies like air filtration and UV light systems in 2025.

“The Province is continuing to support B.C. poultry farmers so people can rely on a safe supply of chicken, turkey and eggs, and to strengthen B.C.’s food security and food economy,” the release said.

Cities like Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Langley are considered ground-zero for most of the farms with the virus since they’re directly in a migratory path for waterfowl.

The Novel Tools and Technologies Program “helps poultry farms combat the risk of avian influenza and protect flocks from the virus.”

Feedback from the first round shows more than 80 per cent of farmers would recommend the technology to other poultry operators.

“Some owners credited the new technology as a key reason their birds weren’t infected with avian influenza during the recent high-risk season and said they were feeling confident with this new protection compared to previous years.”

The current intake for applications is until June 30, with Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley and Surrey farms eligible for the support. The program is administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C.

Program details and criteria on the IAFBC site.