Hundreds of protesters, RCMP officers, and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) workers have reached a standstill following the issuance of a temporary stay by the Supreme Court of Canada. The order to cull over 300 ostriches at a farm in Edgewood, a remote B.C. Interior community, has been halted. Avian flu was detected in the flock in December 2024, prompting the CFIA to set up for the cull, which is now on hold.
The story of the farm owners’ fight to save the ostriches has gained global attention, sparking discussions on Canada’s avian influenza management protocols and concerns of government overreach. The situation is further complicated by the outbreak’s uniqueness and the animals’ fight for survival.
The Universal Ostrich Farm, owned by Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinski, transitioned from a meat-sale operation to focus on breeding, tourism, and research. However, the farm’s claim of conducting research has not been substantiated by CFIA. Dr. Scott Weese, a professor and veterinarian, has not found evidence of formal research approval for the farm.
Avian flu, also known as H5N1, is a respiratory illness primarily transmitted by wild birds. The farm’s ostriches were infected after wild ducks landed in their enclosure. Following the detection of avian flu and the subsequent quarantine order, the CFIA mandated the culling of the remaining flock.
CFIA’s cull order is part of its avian flu management strategy to safeguard human and animal health, the poultry industry, and trade relations. The “stamping out” policy necessitates killing all animals in a flock if H5N1 is confirmed in any bird. Failure to comply with biosecurity standards can lead to trade restrictions on animal products.
The method of culling is not disclosed by CFIA but is required to be humane. Large birds like ostriches are usually euthanized using captive bolt pistols, a method that concerns animal welfare advocates. The surviving ostriches are not re-tested due to uncertainties around immunity and disease transmission risks.
Despite culls being common in the poultry industry, the Universal farm and its supporters have vehemently opposed the cull order, with international figures advocating for the ostriches’ survival. The farm’s battle against the cull has drawn widespread support and intensified scrutiny on government intervention and public health measures.