Ostriches at the Border: A Canadian Culling Sparks Controversy and US Attention
The recent culling of 300 ostriches at an ostrich farm in rural British Columbia has ignited a political and ideological firestorm, drawing attention from across the border in the United States. Canada‘s Supreme Court dismissed a last-ditch effort to halt the destruction of the birds, a decision welcomed by Justice Minister Sean Fraser who affirmed the importance of protecting Canadian health and the food supply.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ordered the cull due to concerns over avian influenza, following protocols aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO).However, the farm owners have consistently argued that Canadian officials are overstepping their authority.
The case has attracted a diverse coalition of support, including US figures Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, both associated with the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, and businessman John Catsimatidis. Dr.Oz even offered to house the ostriches on his property. This unlikely alliance highlights a shared skepticism towards public health measures and a belief in alternative approaches to managing disease.
The farm owners’ cause has also resonated with Canadian activists opposed to COVID-19 restrictions, notably Tamara Lich, a key figure in the “Freedom Caravan” protests that occupied Ottawa. Lich reportedly raised funds to support the legal defense of the ostriches. Kennedy himself has been a vocal critic of mandatory vaccination policies. he has proposed utilizing the ostriches for research into natural immunity to bird flu, diverging from the CFIA’s eradication strategy.
The involvement of US officials has raised eyebrows. “It is somewhat surprising that members of the US cabinet are making public statements about this,” noted Jeremy Snyder, a public health expert at Simon Fraser University. He added that the controversy has become a rallying point for those who believe in narratives of government overreach and control by pharmaceutical companies.
The CFIA maintains its policies are essential for safeguarding public and animal health, as well as protecting Canada’s multibillion-dollar poultry industry. British Columbia Conservative MP Scott Anderson, a supporter of the farm, has sharply criticized the operation as “poorly executed,” citing critically important financial costs to Canadian taxpayers and an increased police presence in the small town of Edgewood. He likened the situation to a “sci-fi movie set” in Area 51.
