B.C. ostrich cull over avian flu exposure can proceed, federal appeal court rules
Global News
The Federal Court of Appeal rejected an appeal by Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., seeking to block a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) cull order.
A cull of some 400 B.C. ostriches that were exposed to avian flu can proceed, one of Canada’s top courts ruled on Thursday.
The Federal Court of Appeal rejected an appeal by Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., seeking to block a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) cull order.
In its decision, the court concluded that the CFIA’s decisions were “all reasonable” and that the agency has the “broad discretion” under law to order the destruction of animals based on mere suspicion of infection.
In a social media post, farm owner Katie Pasitney called the ruling “devastating news.”
“The Court has given a unanimous no decision. There is no stay order in place — which means that at any moment, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency could come and kill our healthy ostriches,” she wrote, adding that the farm would try to secure a legal stay order next week.
“These animals are not just ‘livestock.’ They are living beings that have thrived against all odds. They are a symbol of resilience, of natural immunity, and of what’s possible when we stand up against broken policies that destroy life instead of protecting it.”
Pasitney said she was “opening our farm gates” on the weekend and calling on supporters to come and “sit with animals” and record interactions with the CFIA.
“Absolutely no violence. Peaceful only,” she added.
