The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently conducted a search at a B.C. ostrich farm where ongoing disputes over culling orders have involved legal battles, protests, and even piqued the interest of officials in the White House. RCMP and disposal trucks gathered at Universal Ostrich Farms near Edgewood, B.C., where approximately 400 birds are slated for culling due to the threat of avian flu.
Video footage captured by a farm representative, Katie Pasitney, depicted uniformed individuals communicating with individuals near the farm’s perimeter. A CFIA representative, wearing a jacket with the agency’s emblem, requested that the individuals vacate the property to avoid the use of force for removal. The warrant delineated specific areas covered, directing supporters to leave the ostrich enclosure while permitting them to remain in the vicinity.
Reportedly, a CBC News correspondent at the scene witnessed a tense atmosphere with protestors engaging with law enforcement officers. The RCMP affirmed their support for the CFIA, the lead agency authorized to execute the search warrant.
In a video shared on social media, Pasitney urged followers to prevent the impending cull and directly addressed the police, emphasizing the need for protection rather than harming defenseless animals. Among the supporters present was Brenda Bernhardt, a retired veterinarian, who emphasized her presence as an act of compassion and resistance against perceived governmental overreach.
Pasitney disclosed that the farm had been notified of three search warrants and emphasized their stance against violence. The CFIA’s decision to cull the ostriches stems from an avian flu outbreak last December, resulting in the death of 69 birds. Despite the farm’s shift from selling birds for consumption to utilizing them for research, they have contested the culling order, citing the majority of birds as healthy and deserving to live.
The farm’s legal battles have escalated to higher courts, which consistently upheld the CFIA’s authority in enforcing the cull order based on international standards for managing avian flu outbreaks. Notably, the case has garnered widespread support, including intervention from U.S. White House figures, advocating for the ostriches’ preservation. The CFIA has refrained from disclosing the cull schedule but reportedly engaged a local vehicle rental company for logistical support, leading to subsequent backlash and vehicle repossession following public outcry.
The evolving situation at the Universal Ostrich Farm highlights the intersection of legal, ethical, and environmental considerations amidst the broader context of animal welfare and public health concerns.