Supreme Court of Canada to Decide on Ostrich Cull Case
The Supreme Court of Canada will announce next Thursday whether it will hear a significant case from B.C.'s Interior involving Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood.
Background of the Case
The farm owners are challenging a cull ordered last December by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) following an avian flu outbreak. The CFIA confirmed the virus killed 69 ostriches, with tests on two dead birds positive for H5N1 flu.
Dispute over Testing and Disease Spread
The farm’s owners argue the surviving ostriches show no symptoms and should not be culled. However, the CFIA maintains that apparently healthy ostriches can still carry and transmit the virus, including mutated strains.
Legal Proceedings
The Supreme Court issued a temporary stay of the cull and ordered the CFIA to take custody of the birds while deciding whether to hear the appeal from the farm owners, who have already faced several losses in lower courts.
The Supreme Court of Canada will make a decision next week about whether it will hear a high-profile case out of B.C’s Interior.
The court will announce next Thursday if it will take on the case of Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood.
Ostriches that appear healthy can still spread the disease, including new mutations of the virus.
Summary
This case highlights the tension between animal disease control measures and farming interests, with a crucial legal decision pending on managing avian flu risks.