CFIA says B.C. ostrich cull will proceed after high court decides not to hear appeal

CFIA Confirms Ostrich Cull Will Proceed in British Columbia

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that it will proceed with the complete depopulation of hundreds of ostriches at a farm in Edgewood, British Columbia, after the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear the farm owners' appeal.

Legal and Administrative Background

The CFIA issued the cull order on December 31 following the detection of an avian flu outbreak. The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the appeal leaves intact earlier rulings from the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal, removing any legal barriers to the enforcement of the order.

“The agency has respected all court orders and expects the ostrich farm owners and supporters to do the same now that the Supreme Court of Canada has issued its judgment,” the CFIA said in a statement.

Reaction from the Farm and Supporters

At Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, supporters gathered in a prayer circle as co-owner Dave Bilinski shared the news.

“Maybe a miracle will happen yet,” said Bilinski.

Emotions ran high among supporters. One protester called the CFIA “criminals” and vowed to leave Canada, while another described the decision as “disgusting.”

Context of the Outbreak

The outbreak in question is part of a series of avian flu detections across Canada that have led to widespread culls to contain the virus and prevent its spread to other farms and wildlife populations.

Author’s Summary

The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeal allows CFIA to move forward with the ostrich cull in Edgewood, highlighting tensions between disease control measures and farmers’ resistance.

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Toronto Star Toronto Star — 2025-11-06

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