2025 Canadian ostrich culling controversy

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The 2025 Canadian ostrich culling controversy is a legal, political, and social issue in Canada, triggered by the conflict between Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, and Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA), ordering to cull 400 ostriches, following the detection of Influenza A virus subtype H5N8. The conflict and the culling order has cause many protests and legal battles, reaching The Supreme Court of Canada. This case has also attracted international attention as American political figures intervened as well as animal welfare organizations.

Background

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The Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, British Columbia, run by owners Katie Pastiney and Karen Espersen, has a flock of more than 300 ostriches.[1][2][3] In December 2024, an anonymous source not linked to farm reported the death of at least 70 ostriches which the farm is required by law, that brought a CFIA investigation that detected Influenza A virus and farm practices were questioned such as isolation.[4] The story in the farm's website is that on December 10 a young ostrich fell sick. Even though he recovered, over the course of 36 days other ostriches fell sick resulting in the death of 69 birds of the 468 on the farm, which makes 15% of the flock.[5] As accustomed in such cases, Canadian authorities ordered the culling of the flock, to prevent spread and to maintain trade standards. the farm owners protested claiming the remaining ostriches developed immunity, requesting another solution. A request that gained support from animal rights advocates and some U.S. officials, saying the birds' potential value for antibody research.[1][6][7]

CFIA Order

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In early 2025, the CFIA ordered the farm to destroy the rest of the flock. The agency said this was needed to protect people’s health, Canada’s poultry industry, and the country’s trade reputation. The farm owners took the case to court, arguing that the surviving ostriches could help with scientific research and that safer options, like quarantine, should be tried instead.[7][8]

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After the culling order was issued and the lower court denied upheld the their appeal, the owners of the farm along with supporters launched a series of legal appeals, reaching the Supreme court of Canada.[7][8] On September 23 and 24 is decided on a temporary halt of the order, while a full review will take place.[6] The CFIA along with government lawyers stated that the order falls under the international law regarding avian flu control cases, and that the risk from the disease is still high.[8][7] During the conflict the farm owners were arrested for civil disobedience, after remaining in the Ostrich Pen after being told multiple times to remove themselves[6]

Protests, social and international response

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The issue sparked protests at the farm and led to online activity.[2][9] the Supporters targeted local businesses and workers they believed were helping with the cull. The CFIA brought in a large amount of large square bales of straw to. It was guarded heavily by RCMP officers. The straw combusted and ignited still being investigated by RCMP. The local fire department extinguished the fire, however the CFIA did not break up the bales, thus the smoldering continued and 2 more fires ignited. The CFIA eventually had the burnt bales opened and spread across the field and then brought in more semi-trailer loads of straw to continue building the cull zone.[9]

International

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The case got attention in the US, where politicians Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mehmet Oz offered sanctuary and research money for the ostriches.[8][10][5]

The owners of the farm and supporters claimed that the CFIA were not caring for the ostriches after one ostrich had been injured due to the RCMP flying a helicopter and drones too near the ostriches which spooked them and one ostrich ran through a fence and seriously injured itself. The CFIA have been accused of not giving appropriate treatment to the injured ostrich. The CFIA opened pens and herded old, infirm, blind and birds in recovery from injuries sustained, into the main population of other ostriches where they could be injured or attacked by other ostriches. The owners demanded that these ostriches be returned to their separate pen.

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Further court hearings are scheduled for October 2025 leaving the future of the ostriches unclear. The Supreme court allowed the birds to stay alive only if they are properly taken care of.[2][4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Yousif, Nadine (September 25, 2025). "Canada's top court stays execution of all ostriches, for now". BBC. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Britten, Liam (September 22, 2025). "Ostrich farm behind police tape as CFIA prepares for cull". CBC News. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  3. ^ "Interim stay of cull order turns despair to joy on B.C. ostrich farm". CTVNews. The Canadian Press. September 25, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Brockman, Charles (September 24, 2025). "Supreme Court of Canada grants stay on ostrich cull". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "The B.C ostrich cull controversy, explained | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c Paperny, Anna Mehler; Paperny, Anna Mehler (September 25, 2025). "Canada pauses cull of ostrich flock that had cases of avian flu amid US push to save them". Reuters. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d Ho, Vivian (August 22, 2025). "Canadian court allows cull of 400 ostriches that RFK Jr. hoped to save". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d Bowden, Olivia (May 28, 2025). "RFK Jr offers to save Canadian ostriches with suspected bird flu and move them to US". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  9. ^ a b "RCMP investigating escalating threats linked to planned cull at B.C. ostrich farm". Castanet.net. 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  10. ^ Monga, Vipal (July 30, 2025). "Why America Is Rallying to Save 400 Canadian Ostriches". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 25, 2025.