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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Friday that it has culled the ostrich population on a farm in Edgewood, B.C.
The announcement came a day after the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear an appeal to save the flock at Universal Ostrich Farms, where avian flu was detected last December.
The CFIA said in a statement that after consulting with experts, it concluded that โthat the most appropriate and humane option was to use professional marksmen in a controlled on-farm setting.โ
“All depopulation activities were completed under CFIA veterinary supervision,” the agency said.
- For a full account of the story that unfolded at Universal Ostrich Farms after the country’s top court declined to hear the farm’s appeal, read CBC News’ live coverage here.
The CFIA ordered the cull of the farm’s birds after avian flu was detected in the flock last December and killed 70 of the birds.
The CFIA estimated there were 300 to 330 ostriches on the farm prior to the cull.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Friday that it has culled the ostrich population on a farm in Edgewood, B.C. The cull was ordered after avian flu was detected in the flock last December and killed 70 of the birds.
The months-long saga sparked a debate around perceived government overreach and mistrust in government organizations, as well as mandates used to contain viruses.
The farm’s owners had said the cull was unnecessary because the flock was healthy and had “herd immunity,” making them valuable for scientific research, while requesting that the birds be re-tested for infection.
The CFIA said ostriches that appear healthy can still be a potential source of the virus and allowing the flock to live increased the risk that the virus would dangerously mutate, particularly if the birds were exposed to wildlife.
The fight kicked off a lengthy court battle that ended Thursday morning when the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear a final appeal from the farm’s owners.
Supporters of the farm expressed grief on Friday morning.
A post on a Facebook account appearing to belong to farm co-owner Karen Espersen said there were โno words that can describeโ how she and the farmโs supporters felt.
โRest in peace my feathered friends,โ the post said. โThis is a sad day for Canada.โ
‘Gross amounts of power’
Farm spokesperson Katie Pasitney, daughter of co-owner Espersen,ย said she is dedicating herself to making sure the CFIA would no longer be able to operate in the same way, adding that the agency has “gross amounts of power.”
“I hope that this is a turning point in Canada where we create a better way, proper outbreak response, preservation and protection,” Pasitney said.
Conservative MP Scott Anderson, whose riding covers the B.C. farm, told reporters in Ottawa that he was disappointed with the ruling.
“I think it goes to underscore the structural need for change within the CFIA,” he said.
B.C. Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham called it a “very challenging situation,” while deferring to the CFIA.
“My heart goes out to all the farmers who are currently responding to outbreaks of avian influenza on their farms in British Columbia,” she said, referring to a recent spate of infections.
“We respect the decision of the courts and the authority of the CFIA who lead the investigation and response to all avian influenza outbreaks.”
RCMP said they will remain on site at the CFIA’s request while the agency continues with “disposal” and “demobilization.”
Police said there were no injuries or arrests during the “dynamic portion of the CFIA operation.”
Edgewood resident Brian Ewings told CBC News he thinks itโs unfortunate that the cull took place, but is glad a decision was made.
He said most of the residents he’s spoken to felt the cull โhad to be done,โ but noted that it has โdividedโ the community.
โIt’ll get back to normal, but thereโll be some people that there’s animosity, and it’s bound to hang on with a few people,โ Ewings said.
