Supreme Court of Canada to Decide on Ostrich Cull Case
The Supreme Court of Canada will announce next week whether it will hear a high-profile case from British Columbia's Interior.
Case Background
The case involves Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, whose owners are challenging a cull ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) last December. The cull was prompted by an avian flu outbreak that killed 69 birds from their flock.
Details of the Outbreak
- Tests on two dead birds confirmed the presence of H5N1 flu.
- Farm owners have requested testing of the surviving ostriches.
- The farmers argue the remaining birds show no symptoms and should not be culled.
- The CFIA warns that apparently healthy ostriches can still transmit the virus, including new mutations.
Legal Proceedings
The Supreme Court has temporarily stayed the cull order, placing the birds in CFIA custody until the court decides on hearing the appeal. The farm owners have already lost several decisions in lower courts.
The Supreme Court will announce next Thursday if it will take on the case of Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood.
The CFIA says ostriches that appear healthy can still spread the disease, including new mutations of the virus.
Author's summary: The Supreme Court will soon decide whether to hear the case over the controversial ostrich cull ordered after an avian flu outbreak in B.C., highlighting tensions between disease control and animal welfare.