Animal Justice Urges CFIA to Re-Test Ostriches
Animal Justice has requested that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) conduct fresh testing for avian influenza and halt the planned cull of about 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia.
This call follows the Supreme Court of Canada's decision not to hear the appeal from the B.C. company involved.
Concerns Over Current Testing and Culling
Before the Court's ruling, Animal Justice sent a formal letter urging CFIA to avoid the irreversible step of culling and instead perform updated, independent avian influenza tests.
Experts in infectious diseases have questioned whether the cull remains necessary, suggesting that new tests might reveal the birds no longer pose a disease risk.
According to Animal Justice, no testing has been conducted on the ostriches since December 2024, when the outbreak was initially declared.
Animal Justice's Warning to 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.
The organization warns that killing hundreds of seemingly healthy ostriches without clear, recent evidence of disease risk could diminish public trust in CFIA.
Background
- Planned cull involves roughly 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms.
- Initial avian influenza outbreak declared in December 2024.
- Supreme Court refused to hear the company’s appeal regarding the cull.
Author’s summary: Animal Justice demands CFIA conduct new avian flu tests and stop killing over 400 ostriches, emphasizing the importance of recent evidence to maintain public trust.