Canadian Federal Agency Culls Over 300 Ostriches in British Columbia Following Avian Flu Outbreak
A Canadian federal agency culled over 300 ostriches at a British Columbia farm due to an avian flu outbreak, upheld by the Supreme Court, despite owner appeals.
Overview
Over 300 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in British Columbia were culled by a Canadian federal agency following a confirmed avian flu outbreak.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) executed the cull using professional marksmen, confirming the process was carried out humanely to control the disease spread.
Canada's Supreme Court rejected appeals from the farm owners, upholding the CFIA's culling order and removing legal impediments to the operation.
Farm owners had sought an exemption, claiming their ostriches, used for medical research, possessed immunity, but this request was ultimately denied.
Protests erupted at the farm, with farmers and supporters expressing profound outrage and grief over the government's decision to proceed with the mandatory culling.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present a neutral account of the ostrich cull, balancing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's justification with the farm owners' opposition. They report the facts of the culling, the legal battle, and the emotional impact on the farmers, while also including the CFIA's rationale for the decision and compensation details, avoiding loaded language.
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FAQ
The cull was prompted by a confirmed avian flu outbreak at Universal Ostrich Farms, leading the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to enforce a 'stamping out policy' to control the disease spread.
The Supreme Court rejected the farm owners' appeals because courts at various levels had determined that the CFIA acted reasonably and fairly in applying the stamping-out policy to control the avian flu outbreak.
The owners claimed their ostriches, used for medical research, possessed immunity to avian flu and sought exemption from the cull, but their request was denied as the CFIA and courts found the stamping-out policy necessary to prevent disease spread.
The CFIA used professional marksmen to carry out the cull, which they confirmed was the most appropriate and humane method to dispatch the birds and control the disease.
There have been protests at the farm with supporters expressing profound outrage and grief, shouting slogans like 'Stop!' and 'Murderers!' when the cull was carried out.
History
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