Federal Court Grants Stay, Saving 400 B.C. Ostriches from Cull

URGENT UPDATE: Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has just granted a temporary stay, sparing the lives of 400 ostriches in British Columbia from an impending cull due to avian influenza. This decision comes after Universal Ostrich Farms, located in the B.C. Interior community of Edgewood, fought back against a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) order to destroy the birds, which was initiated following an avian flu outbreak in December 2024 that led to the deaths of 69 ostriches.

The court’s decision, issued on Saturday, halts the CFIA’s cull order until a full hearing can be conducted. The stay is a significant relief for the farm, which had reported that the flock has been “healthy” for over 230 days with no new infections. Lawyer Umar Sheikh, representing the farm, expressed cautious optimism, stating, “This gives us a little bit of time, not a lot,” reflecting the urgency of the situation.

Farm spokeswoman Katie Pasitney captured the emotional weight of the moment in a video shared on social media, revealing, “It’s been a very emotional few days. It is still very emotional today.” The farm argues that the culling of the ostriches would “irreversibly destroy a flock built over decades,” underscoring the significance of these animals to their operations and research.

The CFIA, however, maintains that allowing a flock previously exposed to avian flu to remain alive poses a risk of the virus persisting and potentially mutating. The agency has until Tuesday to respond to the stay motion, after which the farm will have until Wednesday to reply.

In a notable twist, the ostrich farm’s plight has garnered attention from U.S. officials, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has advocated for the ostriches to be spared and studied. Supporters of the farm have organized demonstrations, including camping at the site and staging musical concerts to raise awareness and support.

As the situation develops, the farm is exploring multiple legal avenues to stop the cull, including seeking a reconsideration from the CFIA or the minister and potentially appealing to the Supreme Court of Canada. The emotional stakes are high for the community and the farm, as they await the critical developments in this unfolding story.

The CFIA is still permitted to take preparatory steps for the cull, but for now, the interim stay provides a crucial window of hope for the ostriches and those who care for them. Stay tuned for updates as this urgent situation continues to evolve.