B.C. Ostrich Farm Seeks Supreme Court Intervention Amid Cull Order

Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C. has been ordered to cull nearly 400 ostriches after a court battle. The farm's lawyer is applying to the Supreme Court of Canada for a stay of the cull, pending an appeal. Supporters are heading to the farm to protect the birds, including trucker Lucas Robinson, who made a 575-kilometre trip to show solidarity. The cull order has drawn opposition from U.S. officials, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, is facing a cull order for nearly 400 of its ostriches following a lengthy court battle. The farm's lawyer is applying to the Supreme Court of Canada for a stay of the cull, pending an appeal. Supporters, including trucker Lucas Robinson who traveled 575 kilometers to show solidarity, are heading to the farm to protect the birds [1].

The cull order was initially issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) last December after two dead birds tested positive for H5N1 avian flu. The farm's lawyer, Umar Sheikh, is working on an application to the Supreme Court of Canada for another stay of the cull, pending an appeal [1].

The Federal Court of Appeal rejected the farm's bid to prevent the cull, stating that the CFIA's stamping-out policy is reasonable and that criteria to apply it had been met in the case of the farm in Edgewood, B.C. [2].

Supporters of the farm, such as Robinson, say they are heading to the property to show support. The farm's spokeswoman, Katie Pasitney, has called for supporters to "sit with animals that need protection" and has urged protesters to be "peaceful only" [1].

The cull order has drawn opposition from U.S. officials, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, who is now the administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Kennedy has offered to jointly study the birds, while Oz has said he would be willing to house them at his ranch in Florida [2].

The CFIA has said there are "ongoing risks" to animal and human health as well as export market access for Canadian goods. The agency has stated that it will continue planning for humane depopulation with veterinary oversight at the infected premises [1].

References:
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ostrich-farm-draws-supporters-after-appeal-fails-1.7616309
[2] https://ca.news.yahoo.com/cp-newsalert-b-c-ostrich-224022610.html