Antibiotic Use in BC Chickens

Do Canadian chicken farmers use antibiotics?

The use of antibiotics in Canadian agriculture is heavily regulated. As in human health, antibiotics are used if a flocks’ health is at risk.  All antibiotics must be approved for use by Health Canada or by direction of a veterinary prescription.  Farmers must follow strict protocols on withdrawal periods to ensure residues do not enter the food chain.

Chicken Farmers’ of Canada’s is committed to the responsible use of antibiotics as part of its mandatory On-farm Food Safety Program, which has received full federal, provincial and territorial government recognition.  All commercial chicken farmers in BC are certified under this program for more than 10 years.

To learn more, watch this video:

You can read more in-depth information about antibiotics on the Chicken Farmers of Canada’s Antibiotics page.

What is the poultry industry doing to reduce the use of antibiotics?

In 2010, all Canadian poultry sectors developed an antibiotic strategy to control, monitor and reduce the use of antibiotics.  Some of Chicken Farmers of Canada’s activities so far include:

1. Adopting a policy to eliminate any preventive use of Category I antibiotics by May 15, 2014.
2. Working collaboratively with the federal government, through the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance.
3. Providing government researchers access to our farms so that we can understand what’s happening and to work together to develop solutions.
4. Funding research into alternatives, such as enhanced biosecurity & management practices, vaccine use and new feed additives such as probiotics or essential oils.For more information check out Chicken Farmers of Canada’s amu-brochure.