Supreme Court of Canada Temporarily Halts Ostrich Slaughter, Orders Agency Custody
British Columbia – In a dramatic turn of events, the Supreme Court of Canada has intervened in the case of a British Columbia ostrich farm, temporarily halting the Canadian Food Inspection agency’s (CFIA) order to slaughter approximately 400 ostriches. The court will review the owners’ request for an appeal and, if granted, will consider the merits of their case, according to Radio-Canada.
The legal battle began after an avian flu outbreak resulted in the death of 69 birds on the farm. Despite the owners’ claims that the remaining ostriches were in good health and had achieved collective immunity, the CFIA initially received the green light from the Federal court in May to proceed with the cull. this decision sparked widespread protest, including a music festival organized by supporters and an appeal from U.S. Minister of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,who suggested the birds “Could be useful for study purposes.”
The dispute highlights a broader debate over Canada’s response to the H5N1 virus in poultry. The Tyee reports that current policy dictates infected commercial poultry must be culled with farms receiving financial compensation for restocking. However, the magazine points out inconsistencies, noting that thousands of infected dairy cows in the United States – some transmitting the virus to humans – were not subject to the same order. The Tyee also notes that “The H5N1 virus is not a chronic disease. In animals as in humans,the flu is eliminating by itself in a few days.”
Tensions escalated on September 22nd, with protests leading to reported cases of harassment and death threats against employees of companies contracted by the CFIA. One owner of Universal Ostrich and his daughter were briefly arrested after being asked by police to leave the farm and subsequently prompting supporters to target local businesses.
While the Supreme Court’s decision provides a temporary reprieve, the court has also ordered the CFIA to “ensure custody of birds” pending the outcome of the appeal process. the Toronto Star provides a timeline of the ongoing fight to save the ostrich flock. CBC News reports on the escalating tensions and harassment complaints stemming from the dispute.
