From flu outbreak to ‘Ostrichfest’ to high court, how B.C. ostrich cull saga unfolded
Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, Canada, has spent over 10 months contesting a cull order from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that threatened to kill hundreds of its birds. The Supreme Court of Canada is scheduled to decide whether it will hear a final appeal. If the appeal is refused, the cull will proceed.
Key events in the dispute
December 2024
An outbreak of "flu-like" symptoms affected the farm's ostriches, causing the death of 25 to 30 birds over three weeks.
December 28
The CFIA intervened after an anonymous report, previously unreported, prompted an investigation. The agency ordered a quarantine verbally.
December 31
Samples from two carcasses tested positive for H5 avian influenza, later identified as H5N1. The CFIA issued a cull order, setting February 1 as the deadline for removal of affected birds.
February 4–9, 2025
The farm requested an exemption to preserve their "rare and valuable genetics." The CFIA denied this exemption on February 10.
February 15
The farm reported the final ostrich death, bringing the total to 69 birds lost.
March 31
The Federal Court temporarily halted the cull order during review proceedings initiated by the farm for judicial review.
The case highlights the tension between disease control measures and the preservation of valuable livestock genetics, with legal battles lasting over several months.
Author's summary: The B.C. ostrich cull saga features a prolonged legal struggle over a disease outbreak, balancing public health concerns and genetic preservation of unique livestock.