Egg Farmers of Canada is the national not-for-profit organisation that represents Canada’s more than 1,000 egg farms.

Given the significant impact that highly pathogenic avian influenza is having on the entire North American industry, the organisation contacted the Egg Industry Center after the centre published a call for pre-proposals to fund research needed to answer questions surrounding the ongoing outbreak.

The destructive disease has impacted millions of egg-laying hens. It has been found in 15 states and has affected parts of Canada in the past and two Canadian provinces in the last six months.

“We are pleased to partner with the Egg Industry Center to tackle this North American challenge head on,” said Tim Lambert, chief executive officer of Egg Farmers of Canada.

“We are confident that the world-class research emerging from the EIC, under the leadership of Dr Hongwei Xin, will provide practical solutions for producers and ensure a safe and secure way forward for the entire industry.”

“We are extremely grateful to Egg Farmers of Canada for not only recognising the need for this research, but making the much-needed financial commitment to help make it happen,” said Hongwei Xin, director of the Egg Industry Center and a Charles F Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State.

“Financial support like this greatly enhances our ability to fund additional worthy projects.”

Researchers from across the US submitted 19 different projects for funding consideration. The Egg Industry Center’s research grant programme is structured to focus on the top concerns of the US egg industry.