Animal Justice Urges CFIA to Re-Test and Halt Ostrich Cull
Animal Justice has called on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to perform new testing for avian influenza and cancel the planned culling of approximately 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C. This plea follows the Supreme Court of Canada's refusal to hear the appeal from the B.C. company.
Concerns Over Planned Ostrich Cull
Before the Supreme Court's decision, Animal Justice sent a formal letter to CFIA urging the agency not to proceed with the irreversible culling but to instead conduct fresh, independent testing for avian influenza. Experts in infectious diseases have raised doubts about the necessity of the cull, suggesting updated tests might reveal the birds no longer pose a health risk.
Testing and Public Trust Issues
According to Animal Justice, the last testing of the ostriches was conducted in December 2024, at the time the outbreak was declared. The organization warns that killing hundreds of apparently healthy ostriches without clear, up-to-date evidence could damage public confidence in CFIA.
“More than 10 months after an avian influenza outbreak was declared, it would be remarkably cruel to kill hundreds of apparently healthy birds just to prove a point,” said Camille Labchuk, lawyer and executive director of Animal Justice.
Summary
Animal Justice demands urgent re-testing and the halting of the ostrich cull to prevent unnecessary deaths and preserve trust in food safety authorities.