The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has expressed concerns about the ongoing delay in carrying out the cull of ostriches at a farm in British Columbia, citing potential risks to animal and human health. The agency announced on Friday that it will continue to provide feed to the birds under veterinary supervision, using supplies from Universal Ostrich Farms’ regular suppliers.
There are approximately 300 to 330 ostriches on the farm in southeastern B.C., with efforts underway to determine an exact count, according to the agency. While one ostrich on-site has been identified as having compromised health, specific details about its condition were not disclosed.
The scheduled cull of the ostriches was postponed following a last-minute stay issued by the Supreme Court of Canada earlier in the week. The court stated that the stay will remain in effect until a decision is made on hearing the case. If an appeal is deemed valid, the birds will be spared until the court reaches a verdict in the case brought by Universal Ostrich Farms.
The cull was initially ordered due to an avian flu outbreak at the farm, but the farm owners have contested the decision, arguing that the surviving birds are healthy and scientifically valuable. Both the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal have rejected their appeals.
After confirming the outbreak, a Winnipeg laboratory isolated the virus and conducted whole genome sequencing. The CFIA reported that the virus is a “novel reassortment” not previously observed in Canada, with a genotype linked to a human infection in an Ohio poultry worker. The agency warned that even small amounts of the virus could be lethal, with a rapid time to death in mice exposed to low doses.
CFIA officials, accompanied by the RCMP, have maintained custody of the birds since the court-ordered stay was issued. The case has garnered international support, with supporters rallying at the farm and launching online campaigns to halt the cull.
The controversy has also reached the House of Commons, where Conservative MP Mel Arnold raised questions about 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 emphasized its stamping-out policy for farms affected by avian flu to safeguard human and animal health as well as international trade access. The agency attributed the infections to wild birds, noting a surge in outbreaks during migration seasons. Since 2022, millions of birds in Canada, primarily in commercial flocks, have been ordered for destruction by the CFIA due to avian flu concerns.
