The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has expressed concerns over the ongoing delay in carrying out the cull of ostriches at a farm in British Columbia, citing potential risks to animal and human health. According to a statement released on Friday, the agency will continue to provide feed to the birds under veterinary supervision using supplies from Universal Ostrich Farms’ regular vendors.
The farm in southeastern B.C. houses between 300 and 330 ostriches, with ongoing efforts to determine an exact count, as stated by the agency. While one ostrich on-site is reported to have compromised health, specific details on its condition were not disclosed.
Following a last-minute stay granted by the Supreme Court of Canada earlier this week, the birds on the farm have been spared from the cull for the time being. The court will maintain the stay until a decision is made on whether to hear the case. If an appeal is deemed valid, the birds will remain alive until the court reaches a verdict in the case brought by Universal Ostrich Farms.
The cull was initially ordered due to an outbreak of avian flu at the farm. However, the farm owners contested the decision, arguing that the surviving birds are healthy and scientifically valuable. Despite Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal rejections of their claims, the farm owners continue to challenge the cull.
After confirming the outbreak, a laboratory in Winnipeg identified and sequenced the virus responsible for the outbreak. The virus is described as a “novel reassortment” not previously detected in Canada, with a genotype linked to a human infection in an Ohio poultry worker.
CFIA officials, accompanied by the RCMP, have maintained custody of the birds since the issuance of the stay order. The case has garnered international attention, with supporters rallying at the farm and launching an online campaign to halt the cull.
The situation has even prompted investigations into threats of violence against businesses involved in the CFIA operation. The ostriches case has also been a topic of discussion in the House of Commons, with MPs questioning the necessity of the cull.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel responded that she is collaborating closely with the agriculture minister on the matter, refraining from further comments due to the ongoing legal proceedings. The CFIA emphasizes its stamping-out policy for farms affected by avian flu to safeguard human and animal health as well as international trade access.
Notably, wild birds are identified as the primary source of infections, with outbreaks surging during migration seasons. Since 2022, the CFIA has ordered the destruction of millions of birds in Canada, predominantly from commercial flocks.
