Canada's Poultry Research Program

The CPRC hosted “Canada’s Poultry Research Program”, a workshop held in Ottawa May 12 and 13, 2010. The event examined Canada’s current poultry research program, assessed its research priorities, and discussed its future direction. Specifically, the stated purpose of the workshop was to work toward the development of a National Poultry Research Program in Canada by:

• Reviewing the current poultry research agenda in Canada, and identifying any key research gaps.
  

• Clarifying the emerging issues, challenges and opportunities for the poultry industry in Canada, and the associated research implications/needs.
  

• Obtaining feedback on a draft Science Strategy for Canada’s Poultry Sector (proposed by CPRC for discussion) in light of the needs, current agenda and gaps.
  

• Clarifying the role of CPRC and other key players in funding and implementing the strategy.
  

CPRC is taking a consultative approach to developing a national strategy to deliver research programs that will address current and emerging needs of Canada’s poultry sector. Invited workshop participants included representatives of industry, government and academia. Collaboration among all these groups is key to the development and implementation of an effective strategy. This workshop formed the foundation on which such a strategy will be built.

To view the workshop program, please click here

Poultry Research Funding in Canada

The Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC) hosted a workshop October 1, 2008 focused on poultry research challenges in Canada. The stated objectives of the workshop were:

• To clarify the scope and orientation of current poultry research funding in Canada.
  

• To clarify the current mix/balance of public/private research investment in Canada.
  

• To identify opportunities for collaboration and increased leverage of funding for poultry research.
  

• To identify gaps in funding poultry research priorities.
  

• To discuss how funding gaps might be filled.
  

• To clarify the role CPRC and other agencies could play in ensuring appropriate collaboration/leveraging.
  

About 30 participants representing a variety of organizations with an interest in poultry research attended. Among the key messages arising from the workshop was that there is opportunity to increase the impact of the poultry industry’s collective investment in research. Improved efficiencies through collaborative relationships among funders and increased leverage with non-industry sources were both identified as ways to make the most of industry dollars. The Dairy Farmers of Canada have been highly successful in achieving this goal and were at the workshop to share some of their experiences.

Participants concluded that the Canadian poultry industry and its consumers would realize the maximum benefit from Canadian poultry research if there was a national organization that could speak with one voice on behalf of Canadian poultry research community, and that would serve as a “one stop shop” for all partners who wish to support poultry research at the national level. There was a strong consensus among the group that CPRC should take on this role. Detailing how best to fill this role was beyond the scope of the workshop, however there are models from which the Canadian poultry sector can learn.

A detailed summary of the event is available in pdf format. (172K)

Food Safety and Poultry Health in Canada

The Canadian Poultry Research Council hosted a workshop September 28-29, 2006 at the University of Montreal. The objective was to assess current and emerging issues of food safety & quality and poultry health research in Canada. The program included updates on research underway under the AviMicroNet program, which deals with interactions of antibiotics with avian gut microbiology. Attendees were also asked how Canada should coordinate its efforts in food safety and poultry health.

There was also a tour of University of Montreal’s new poultry facility. This is a large level 2 facility dedicated to poultry research. It's capabilities are unique in Canada and rivaled by a select few facilities in all of North America.

Workshop Program: .pdf format.

Poultry Welfare Research in Canada

In June 2006, the Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) hosted a workshop entitled “Poultry Welfare Research in Canada”. Over 40 participants representing academe, industry and government met to review Canada’s current capacity for poultry welfare research, and to decide where future efforts should be directed.


The program included updates on current and planned poultry welfare research across the country, and allowed industry representatives to present their perspective on poultry welfare issues. Emerging programs of animal welfare standards within and outside Canada were also presented. Attendees were asked to combine the information presented with that gained from their own experience and identify future research priorities that would best address the animal welfare issues of our industry. Appropriate efforts beyond research funding were also addressed.

Should you require any more information, please do not hesitate to contact the CPRC office.

Workshop Report: pdf format
Report Appendices: pdf format

Canadian Poultry Research - Strengths & Weaknesses

In May 2005, the Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC) and
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) hosted a workshop entitled
“Canadian Poultry Research - Strengths and Weaknesses”. Over 80
participants representing academe, industry and government met to discuss and establish strategic research priorities for the Canadian poultry industry. The purpose of the meeting was to update Canada’s poultry research priorities, and to provide participants with the opportunity to present recommendations for advancing poultry research in Canada. The workshop was a follow-up to a 2002 CPRC symposium on poultry research priorities and was held at the request of AAFC to aid in planning their future role in supporting Canadian
poultry research.

A detailed summary of the event is available in .pdf format.
Report Appendices: Click Here

Poultry Research Priorities in Canada

The Canadian Poultry Research Council held a very successful symposium on research priorities at the Delta Hotel, Ottawa, November 29 and 30, 2002. Close to 100 people from across Canada participated in this two day event, representing industry government and academia. The first session included Dr. Roger Buckland speaking on the scope, status and outlook for poultry research in Canada. Dr. Peter Hunton provided an overview of industry issues, strategic goals, and research interests. The second session included presentations by Dr. Max Hincke, Dr. Frank Robinson and Dr. Gordon Dorrell. Dr. Max Hincke talked about "The Desired Research Model" with specific reference to the international collaborations involved in his egg shell quality
project. Dr. Frank Robinson provided the audience with some insight into "Lessons from the Frontlines" - Funding Strategies and Scenarios. Finally, Dr. Gordon Dorrel from the Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada spoke about funding access strategies, machinery for submitting proposals to government, limitations of A&AFC and interdepartmental vehicles for research
funding. Dr. Roel Mulder from the Netherlands gave the keynote presentation at dinner, speaking about the changes and status of poultry research funding in the Netherlands and within the Economic Union. The following day was a work session in which participants broke out into small groups and dealt with such questions as research priorities for the poultry industry, the focus of the CPRC and institution co-ordination.
 
A detailed summary of the event is available in .pdf format.