Residents of B.C. Ostrich Farm Face Turmoil Amid Avian Flu Cull

Residents near the Universal Ostrich Farm (UOF) in Edgewood, British Columbia, are expressing frustration and fear as the farm battles an avian flu cull ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The situation has drawn significant media attention and has left local communities feeling neglected, with many fearing for the health of their livestock.

After an avian flu outbreak in December 2022, the CFIA ordered a cull of the farm’s birds, which tested positive for the virus. Since then, a total of sixty-nine ostriches have died, while close to 400 remain under threat. The farm has fought vigorously to protect its remaining flock, which it claims is healthy. According to Katie Pasitney, the farm’s spokesperson, “We have had no illness and no deaths on our farm for 223 days. They are thriving. Our herd of ostriches is a living vault of immunity.”

Community Concerns Intensify

Residents living in proximity to UOF are increasingly concerned about the implications of the cull and the risk it poses to their own livestock. Jim and Millie McFarlane, cattle farmers in a secondary quarantine zone, voiced their worries about potential market impacts. “So, when fall comes and we ship our cattle to market, is that going to be a factor in the price that we get for our cattle?” Millie McFarlane questioned. Pasitney dismissed their fears, stating, “Linking our fight to protect ostriches with cattle price fluctuations is misleading.”

These concerns are compounded by a perceived lack of responsiveness from local elected officials. Scott Anderson, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee, issued a statement on August 21, 2023, expressing disappointment regarding the CFIA’s cull order. He criticized the agency for its “stubborn refusal to allow testing, engage with senior academics in the field, or consider alternatives to mass culls.” Anderson acknowledged the divided opinion among constituents but emphasized that personal grievances should not distract from the focus on public health.

Local resident Randy Donselaar articulated a growing dissatisfaction with Anderson’s stance, accusing him of siding with the farm. “He is not representing the voice of our community… I think he’s either blind to that or he doesn’t care,” Donselaar remarked.

Political Ramifications and Outside Influence

The ongoing legal battle has attracted attention beyond Canadian borders, notably from U.S. television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, who has proposed relocating the ostriches to his ranch in Florida. Oz has called on the Canadian government to intervene. Local residents, including Soroka and Donselaar, expressed discomfort with American involvement in their community’s affairs. “It really bothers me that the Americans are involved,” Soroka stated.

As the situation escalates, some locals believe the initial focus on the cull has transformed into a political spectacle. Debra Pion, a long-term resident, noted, “It’s become very political, and the birds are just a non-issue right now.” This sentiment is echoed by Angela Rasmussen, a virologist from the University of Saskatchewan, who stated that external offers to import the ostriches undermine necessary public health regulations. “This is an extension of that, trying to interfere in Canada’s mechanisms for instituting evidence-based responses to potential pandemic pathogens,” she explained.

In response to these developments, Pasitney reiterated the farm’s commitment to public health, arguing, “Our ostriches have been healthy the entire time. The real concern is that the CFIA continues to refuse to test the birds, even after so many months with no illness or deaths.” She urged concerned residents to direct their inquiries to the CFIA regarding outbreak policies and responses.

The CFIA maintains that even healthy-looking birds can carry the virus, which raises the risk of transmission and mutation, particularly in environments where wildlife is present. They have warned about the potential for the virus to become more infectious to mammals, which underscores the agency’s rationale for the cull and ongoing monitoring.

With the Federal Appeal Court’s order permitting the CFIA to destroy the remaining ostriches at any time, the community remains on edge, caught in the crossfire of health regulations, economic concerns, and political discourse. The outcome of this situation could have lasting implications for both the residents of Edgewood and the future of the UOF.