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

CFIA to Proceed with Ostrich Cull in British Columbia

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced it will continue with the complete depopulation of hundreds of ostriches at a farm in Edgewood, British Columbia. This decision followed the Supreme Court of Canada’s refusal to hear an appeal from the ostrich farm owners.

Legal Background and Court Decisions

The CFIA issued the cull order over ten months ago after detecting an avian flu outbreak at Universal Ostrich Farms, located in the southern Interior of B.C. The farm owners sought to challenge the cull, but the Supreme Court's decision ended their attempts to halt it. Prior rulings by the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal were also against the farm.

CFIA Statement and Expectations

The CFIA stated that it has complied with all court orders and now expects the ostrich farm owners and their supporters to respect the Supreme Court’s judgment as well.

Reaction at the Farm

Supporters gathered in a prayer circle as co-owner Dave Bilinski shared the news of the Supreme Court decision.

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

During the gathering, one protester labeled the CFIA as criminals and expressed intentions to leave Canada, while another described the ruling as disgusting.

Summary

The CFIA will proceed with the ostrich cull following the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear an appeal, reinforcing earlier court decisions amid strong opposition from farm owners and supporters.

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Rocky Mountain Outlook Rocky Mountain Outlook — 2025-11-06

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