In a controversial decision, the Federal Court of Appeal of Canada has ruled that approximately 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, must be culled following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), specifically the H5N1 strain. The ruling, issued on August 22, 2025, upholds previous decisions by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and lower courts, rejecting the farm’s appeal for exemption from the culling order.
- The outbreak, which began in late 2024, resulted in the deaths of 69 ostriches.
- The farm’s owners argued that the surviving birds had developed natural immunity and could offer valuable scientific insights into disease resistance.
- They claimed the flock was now healthy and posed no threat to public or animal health.
- However, the court dismissed these arguments, stating that the CFIA’s mandate to prevent further spread and mutation of the virus took precedence.
The CFIA emphasized that even asymptomatic birds can carry and transmit HPAI, and allowing the flock to remain could increase the risk of viral mutation. Notably, the strain found in the ostriches included a genotype linked to human infections in the United States. The agency also cited reports that individuals associated with the farm had tested positive for H5N1 antibodies, raising concerns about zoonotic transmission.
Despite the ruling, the farm’s representatives have vowed to continue their legal battle, potentially escalating the case to the Supreme Court of Canada. Farm spokesperson Katie Pasitney has called for peaceful demonstrations to protect the flock, while also seeking a new court stay to delay the culling.
- The CFIA has not disclosed the exact timeline for the cull but confirmed that plans for humane depopulation under veterinary supervision are underway.
- The case has sparked public debate over animal welfare, scientific research, and biosecurity, with some advocacy groups launching petitions to halt the cull.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges posed by HPAI outbreaks globally. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), continued surveillance, rapid response, and strict biosecurity measures remain essential to controlling the spread of avian influenza in both domestic and wild bird populations.
Sources: Available upon request