🔗 Share this article

Canada’s food inspection agency has announced it plans to initiate a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a farm following the country’s top court declined to block the disputed slaughter.

Legal Impediments Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday removed all legal impediment to starting the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in May to cull close to 400 ostriches, due to fears of an spread of avian influenza.

Recently, authorities took over of the operation.

Sixty-nine birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court granted an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Societal Reactions

The growing row over the birds – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired demonstrators to gather at the property, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms.

The case has also penetrated the nation’s political sphere.

Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked repeatedly by journalists whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, even though many within his party voicing opposition against the cull.

He informed the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

International Interest and Offers

Several prominent individuals from the United States have lobbied Canadian officials.

The US health secretary offered to move the ostriches to his ranch in the Sunshine State.

An American wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Arguments

The national authorities stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a “stamping out” approach in order to contain the spread of bird flu, a step in line with broader advice from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the authority to perform additional tests on the animals to confirm they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners claimed that because the most recent fatality happened on January 15th, with the remaining birds appearing healthy or healed, the flock has acquired at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

They have also cast doubt on the scope and effectiveness of testing on the birds.

Farm Representative Response

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, told the media that the agency was “murdering” birds in good health.

“These are prehistoric animals that have survived millions of years, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

A partner expressed he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.

Judicial and Agency Decisions

A federal court, however, found that allowing the ostriches to remain alive could result in the transmission of bird flu to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The agency has not said at what time it plans to begin culling the birds.

Culling Procedures

An older agency manual, obtained under public access laws, says the birds can be killed by different means, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug.

Personnel can also use gas chambers or break the birds’ necks.

Members of the agency can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Latest Developments

As per media sources, soon after the judicial decision, inspection agents started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the ostrich pen.