Saint-Claude, Knowlton and Wotton… three of the 13 Ducks of Lac-Brome sites are contaminated by cases of avian influenza, but the products in tablets “are healthy and without any danger for consumption”, assures the business.
• Read also: Four cases of avian flu confirmed in Quebec
“After 110 years of existence, we could never have imagined such a scenario after all these years of rigor at work at all levels,” reacted by press release Angela Anderson, general manager of Canards du Lac-Brome.
More than 300 people work for the Quebec company, which holds more than 60% of the Canadian market.
350,000 ducks
Canards du Lac-Brome raise 350,000 ducks. If the trend of contamination continues at this rate, the company fears that the supply will have to cease within four to five weeks.
More than a year could be needed then before the return to normal, goes so far as to say the company.
“I therefore launch a cry from the heart for the commitment of all levels of government, of the sectors of Agriculture, Agrifood and the Economy, so that they join us in implementing a creative, innovative and structuring recovery that will put this industry back at the heart of a sustainable recovery strategy,” concluded Angela Anderson, General Manager of Canards du Lac-Brome.
No danger for consumption
In addition, the company affirmed that its products on sale are without any danger for consumption and that the evolution of the situation is monitored daily.
The contaminated sites are those of Saint-Claude, Knowlton and Wotton, said Wednesday the director general, Angela Anderson.
“As for the other sites, the tests carried out for the moment have proven to be negative and the quality of the products is impeccable, so production can be sent to the usual distribution channels,” she said in a press release.
The Lac-Brome point of sale was also temporarily closed as a precaution.
At the current rate, the supply of sales distribution channels should cease within four to five weeks, according to the general manager. To date, the resumption of operations may not take place for a minimum of 10 to 12 months, although it is still too early to assess it.
After the COVID-19 pandemic and two major fires in their facilities, Canards du Lac-Brome is asking for help from all levels of government to minimize the impact of this crisis on human resources.
“If Quebec and Canada wish to maintain this flagship industry of the Agriculture sector and prevent us from becoming totally dependent on imports in the very short term, we raise our hands and we are ready to make the necessary efforts. But we will not be able to do it alone, the step is too high and it is only collectively that we will be able to revive this sector which has proven itself in terms of spin-offs,” said Ms. Anderson.
More than 150,000 ducks had to be euthanized and 400,000 incubating eggs destroyed, representing 75% of Brome Lake Duck production.
Recall that a fourth farm was struck by avian flu this week in Estrie, with a new case detected in the MRC des Sources, indicated the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
-With information from Jean-François Desbiens, TVA Nouvelles