The nation’s food safety authority has announced it plans to start a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a farm following the country’s top court refused to halt the contentious eradication.
Legal Obstacles Removed by Court Ruling
On Thursday eliminated any judicial obstacle to commencing the slaughter.
Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in May to eradicate almost four hundred birds, amid fears of an outbreak of bird flu.
Earlier this week, authorities took over of the operation.
Sixty-nine birds have already died after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.
On Wednesday, Canada’s supreme court granted an interim stay on the cull order as it considered whether to take up the matter.
Political and Societal Reactions
The growing row over the ostriches – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired protesters to gather at the farm, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms.
The case has also entered the nation’s political sphere.
In early October, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked twice by journalists whether he backed the demonstrators.
The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the matter, even though many within his political group protesting against the slaughter.
He told reporters the issue had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.
International Interest and Offers
A number of prominent figures from the United States have lobbied Canadian officials.
The American health chief proposed to move the ostriches to his ranch in the Sunshine State.
An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the authorities to reverse its eradication directive.
Scientific and Ethical Arguments
The Canadian federal government stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a “stamping out” approach in order to contain the spread of bird flu, a move consistent with broader advice from international health bodies.
However, animal rights organizations have called on the agency to perform additional tests on the birds to verify they are carrying the virus.
The ranch operators said that because the last bird flu death occurred on January 15th, with the surviving majority appearing healthy or recovered, the flock has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.
They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and effectiveness of the tests on the ostriches.
Ranch Spokesperson Response
Recently, the ranch representative, told the media that the authority was “murdering” birds in good health.
“They are prehistoric animals that have survived millions of years, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.
A partner expressed he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.
Court and Authority Findings
A federal court, however, found that permitting the ostriches to remain alive could lead to the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the livestock sector – or to people.
The agency has not said at what time it plans to start slaughtering the ostriches.
Eradication Procedures
A 2016 agency manual, obtained under public access laws, states ostriches can be killed by various methods, the preferred being injection, which needs multiple individuals: one to hold the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.
Staff can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.
Employees of the agency can only shoot the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.
Latest Developments
As per reports, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents started installing more equipment and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the rear of the ostrich pen.
