Supreme Court of Canada to Decide on Ostrich Cull Case
The Supreme Court of Canada will announce next Thursday whether it will hear a significant case from British Columbia’s Interior involving Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood.
Background of the Case
The farm owners are challenging a planned cull ordered last December by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The agency mandated the cull following an outbreak of avian flu that resulted in the death of 69 birds.
Health Concerns and Testing
Tests on two deceased birds confirmed the presence of the H5N1 flu strain. However, the farm owners argue that the surviving ostriches show no signs of illness and should not be culled.
The CFIA, on the other hand, insists that apparently healthy ostriches can still transmit the virus, including new mutations.
The Supreme Court issued a temporary stay of the cull order and instructed the CFIA to take custody of the birds until it decides whether to hear the farm owners' case.
Legal Proceedings
The farm owners have lost several lower court rulings prior to this appeal to the Supreme Court.
Case Timeline
- December 2024: CFIA orders cull after avian flu outbreak.
- Subsequent testing confirms H5N1 flu in deceased birds.
- Farm owners push for testing of surviving ostriches.
- Temporary stay granted by Supreme Court pending decision.
- Decision on whether to hear the case expected next Thursday.
Author’s summary: The Supreme Court will soon decide whether to hear the appeal of Universal Ostrich Farms, which opposes a CFIA-ordered cull after an avian flu outbreak killed many birds.
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