An 11th-hour court injunction preventing the culling of more than 400 ostriches has been granted to a farm in rural British Columbia, allowing the owners time to advocate for preserving their flock and the years of science and research dedicated to their birds.
On Jan. 31, Justice Michael Battista ordered the original order by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to be paused until it can be reviewed by the courts.
Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, about 200 kilometres east of Kelowna, contacted a veterinarian in December 2024 after a few of their younger birds became sick. Before they heard back, the farm was contacted by the CFIA after an anonymous tip suggested their birds may have H5N1, or avian flu….