Canada’s food inspection agency is proceeding with a plan to cull nearly 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in British Columbia, following a Supreme Court decision not to block the action. The situation has ignited a fierce protest, attracting international attention and raising concerns about government overreach.
The Avian Flu Outbreak and Initial Response
The decision to cull the ostriches stems from an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu at the farm near Edgewood, British Columbia. Initially ordered in May, the cull aims to prevent the potential spread of the virus to other animals, the poultry industry, or humans. Universal Ostrich Farms has reported that 69 birds have already died from a flu-like illness, and officials seized control of the business earlier this week. An interim stay on the cull was issued by the Supreme Court to consider an appeal, but that stay has now been lifted.
International Intervention and Political Reactions
The case has gained significant attention beyond Canada, attracting vocal support for the ostriches and criticism of the culling order. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. health secretary, and Mehmet Oz, a physician and former TV host, have both lobbied Canadian officials to halt the cull. US billionaire John Catsimatidis has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse the decision.
The controversy has also spilled into Canadian politics. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has been pressed on his stance, but has avoided making specific comments despite numerous within his party protesting the cull, stating only that the situation has been “mismanaged from the very beginning.”
Protests, Skepticism, and Herd Immunity Claims
Protesters have gathered at the farm, sharing their frustrations online and expressing skepticism towards vaccines. Comments under live streams of the ostrich enclosure frequently question the validity of the illness.
The farm owners contend that the last avian flu death occurred on January 15, 2025, and that the surviving majority appear healthy or have recovered, suggesting the flock has developed at least partial herd immunity against H5N1. They have also questioned the scope and accuracy of the agency’s testing methods.
Culling Methods and Agency Protocol
According to a 2016 Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) manual obtained through freedom of information laws, the agency’s preferred method for killing ostriches is lethal injection, requiring a team of three people to hold and restrain the large birds. Gas or breaking the birds’ necks are alternative methods. Shooting is reserved as a “last resort” and requires a “skilled marksman.”
Legal and Public Health Considerations
A federal court determined that allowing the birds to remain alive could facilitate the spread of avian influenza. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency maintains it is adhering to a “stamping out” policy, aligned with World Health Organization guidelines for limiting the spread of the virus. However, animal advocacy groups have called for additional testing to confirm the animals’ infection.
On Thursday, Katie Pasitney, the farm’s spokesperson, accused the agency of “murdering” healthy birds. Co-owner Dave Bilinski expressed fears that “there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left.”
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has yet to announce a timeline for commencing the culling process. The situation highlights the complex balance between public health concerns, animal welfare, and individual rights amidst heightened awareness of pandemic preparedness.
