(Eggs.ca)

U.S. bird flu causes egg shortage, emergency measures

Chicago/New York | Reuters — As a virulent avian influenza outbreak continues to spread across the Midwestern U.S., some egg-dependent companies are contemplating drastic steps — importing eggs from overseas or looking to egg alternatives. A spokeswoman for Archer Daniels Midland said that as egg supplies tighten and prices rise, the food processing and commodities […] Read more




(Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Minnesota bans bird exhibitions over avian flu

Minneapolis | Reuters –– Minnesota officials on Friday banned all bird exhibitions in the state this year, including at the Minnesota State Fair, in response to an outbreak of avian influenza that has affected farms around the Midwest. Exhibitions at fairs, swap meets, exotic sales and petting zoos must not include birds for the rest […] Read more






Shown here Thursday in Istanbul, Ag Minister Gerry Ritz (front, second from right) says Canada plans to be at the TPP table to the “bitter end,” but U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack (front, second from left) says Canada has yet to make a “reasonable offer” on concessions. (USDA.gov via Flickr)

Election timing puts Tories in bind on Pacific trade talks

Ottawa | Reuters –– Canada is facing a tough squeeze at talks on a major Pacific trade treaty because the concessions other nations want it to make could cause serious problems for the governing Conservatives in this October’s general election. Canada, one of 12 nations aiming to create the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), is under pressure […] Read more


American wigeons at Quebec’s Iles-de-Contrecoeur National Wildlife Area. (Environment Canada photo by Benoit Audet)

H5N8-positive wild duck found in B.C.

Ongoing surveillance of Canada’s wild birds has turned up the country’s first-ever case of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian flu, in a duck carcass at a British Columbia bird sanctuary. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Friday reported the case to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), noting such a detection in wild birds “should […] Read more