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Over the last four years, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has caused widespread infections resulting in sector-wide impacts including economic losses associated with depopulation and other response activities, production issues, and trade restrictions.
During this on-going threat of HPAI, Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) has been re-assessing biosecurity programming by reviewing scientific literature and epidemiological reports on HPAI infections.
As a result of this review, CFC has determined that the minimum entrance requirements for barns should be increased. Specifically, CFC is removing the minimum allowance that the barrier between the Controlled Access Zone and the Restricted Area can be a “clearly identified line”. Instead, a physical barrier (e.g. a bench or a step-over) will be required to separate the Controlled Access Zone and the Restricted Area.
The physical barriers On-Farm Food Safety Program (OFFSP) addendum requirement can be found here.
A “clearly identified line” is no longer sufficient given the risk of HPAI infections, the understanding of how viruses (e.g. Reovirus, IBH) and bacteria may enter the barn, and the impact that these pathogens have on the sector as a whole. Even if boot changes are done properly using a “clearly identified line,” this line does not prevent dust and debris, which can contain harmful viruses and bacteria, from contaminating the Restricted Area.
There are a number of ways that HPAI and other pathogens can enter a barn, either by physical movement (e.g. via personnel, equipment or pests) or through windborne spread. While there is no silver bullet solution to preventing viruses (e.g. HPAI, Reovirus) or bacterial infections from a food safety perspective (e.g. Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli), it is in the best interest of the sector to implement a properly designed and used physical barrier to limit these hazards to the flock.
Having a bench or a step-over that is wall-to-wall and flush to the floor is the best practice for minimizing organic material from the Controlled Access Zone contaminating the Restricted Area, and vice versa. When designed and used correctly, this is a great way to protect your flock.
Implementation Date
Farmers are strongly encouraged to implement this new measure as soon as possible, prior to the next migratory season.
This program requirement will be mandatory and included as part of the OFFSP audit as of the beginning of A-204 (August 23, 2026). By this date, farms will need to have either implemented the physical barrier or have a written action plan for implementing the physical barrier.
With the understanding that this requirement may take longer to implement on some farms due to required structural changes, action plans and physical barriers will have until A-208 (April 4, 2027) to be completed.
Creating a Physical Barrier
A series of videos and factsheets are available that demonstrate the proper entrance protocol and different types of design options.
There are many different options to implement a physical barrier based on barn entrance designs and protocols. This page on the Farmer Resource Portal includes additional examples of effective and non-effective physical barriers for consideration when designing your own.
