Supporters of Universal Ostrich Farms stand near ostriches at the farm’s property in Edgewood, B.C., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Hemens
Republished August 22, 2025 - 11:54 AM
Original Publication Date August 22, 2025 - 9:06 AM
The lawyer for a British Columbia ostrich farm says the operators hope to have their case heard by the Supreme Court of Canada after losing an appeal to halt the cull of its flock that suffered an avian flu outbreak.
Umar Sheikh says he's working with Universal Ostrich Farms on an application to the top court for a stay of the cull, pending an application seeking leave to appeal.
He acknowledges the threshold to have a case heard by the Supreme Court of Canada is high and says it's too soon to discuss what arguments they intend to make.
The Federal Court of Appeal on Thursday rejected the farm's bid to prevent the cull of nearly 400 animals, which was originally ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency last December after two dead birds at the property tested positive for H5N1 avian flu.
A total of 69 birds died at the farm in December and January, and while the farmers say the flock is now healthy, the CFIA says the cull is necessary because exposed flocks create an opportunity for the virus to mutate.
Supporters of the farm say they will converge on the property in Edgewood, B.C., to show their support, after the farm's spokeswoman called for the birds to be protected.
Posts on a social media group administered by spokeswoman Katie Pasitney show people saying they are booking flights or are driving to the property in the B.C. southern Interior.
Others suggest a convoy or appealing to officials in the United States to have the birds moved there.
However, a spokesman for Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel says she has not been in touch with any U.S. counterparts.
Pasitney, whose mother co-owns the farm, had called for supporters to go to the property and "sit with animals that need protection" from the cull.
The CFIA says there are "ongoing risks" to animal and human health as well as export market access for Canadian goods.
It says it won't discuss operational plans, but in a May 30 update that remains on its website, it says it "continues planning for humane depopulation with veterinary oversight at the infected premises."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 22, 2025.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2025