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By Alice McFarlane
Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) says it is encouraged by the recent statement from the federal government regarding the fraudulent importation of broiler meat mislabeled as spent fowl.
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CFC said it’s a positive step toward protecting the integrity of Canada’s chicken supply and safeguarding the livelihoods of Canadian chicken farmers, adding that it is committed to implementing solutions that reinforce fairness, trust, and accountability within the chicken sector.
Spent fowl refers to egg-laying hens that are processed for meat at the end of their production cycle. Unlike broiler chicken meat, imports of spent fowl are not subject to the same import controls, allowing unlimited quantities into Canada. This has given some importers the opportunity to fraudulently mislabel broiler meat as spent fowl to circumvent Canada’s customs tariff.
The federal government says it will collaborate with industry partners and enforcement agencies, including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency to develop a plan aimed at improving detection, enforcing compliance, and leveling the playing field.
CFC said it expects this will lead to the implementation of DNA testing to distinguish between broiler meat and spent fowl meat—an essential step to stopping illegal imports.
Research funded by Chicken Farmers of Canada, in collaboration with Trent University, has already developed a reliable DNA test to accurately differentiate between the two types of meat.
CFC chair Tim Klompmaker said Canadian chicken farmers appreciate the government’s commitment to making spent fowl fraud a priority.
“We are confident that the government’s dedication to collaboration and decisive action will lead to the implementation of DNA testing as a means of enforcement,” Klompmaker said. “This will be a critical step forward in ensuring that our Canadian chicken sector can continue to thrive and compete fairly in the marketplace.”
Canadian chicken farmers have long advocated for measures to address the issue, which has resulted in significant economic impacts. At its peak, fraudulent imports of spent fowl cost Canada 1,400 jobs, $105 million in economic contributions, $35 million in taxes, and at least $66 million in government revenues annually.
