[bolding is mine]
Date modified: 2025-05-31
Update on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's actions at an HPAI infected premise at a British Columbia ostrich farm
From: Canadian Food Inspection Agency Statement
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada's national poultry sectors have been responding to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Canada since December 2021. Industry has been highly supportive of the CFIA in its response to HPAI, working collaboratively to implement control measures and protect animal health.
The CFIA has acted to minimize the risk of the virus spreading within Canadian flocks and to other animals. All avian influenza viruses, particularly H5 and H7 viruses, have the potential to infect mammals, including humans. Our disease response aims to protect public and animal health, minimize impacts on the domestic poultry industry, and the Canadian economy.
The CFIA's response to highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic poultry is based on an approach known as “stamping-out”, as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Stamping-out is the internationally recognized standard and is a primary tool to manage the spread of HPAI and mitigate risks to animal and human health as well as enable international trade. It includes steps to eliminate the virus from an infected premises, including the humane depopulation and disposal of infected animals, and disinfection of premises.
There are ongoing risks to animal and human health and Canada’s export market access
Allowing a domestic poultry flock known to be exposed to HPAI to remain alive means a potential source of the virus persists. It increases the risk of reassortment or mutation of the virus, particularly with birds raised in open pasture where there is ongoing exposure to wildlife.
CFIA’s National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) identified that the current HPAI infection in these ostriches is a novel reassortment not seen elsewhere in Canada. This assortment includes the D1.3 genotype, which has been associated with a human infection in a poultry worker in Ohio.
A human case of H5N1 in BC earlier this year required critical care, and an extended hospital stay for the patient, and there have been a number of human cases in the United States, including a fatality.
Stamping-out and primary control zones enable international trade as it allows Canada to contain outbreaks within a specific area, meet the requirements of zoning arrangements with trading partners, and permit Canada’s poultry industry to export from disease-free regions. Continued export market access supports Canadian families and poultry farmers whose livelihoods depend on maintaining international market access for $1.75 billion in exports.
Current status of the infected premise at Universal Ostrich Farm
Universal Ostrich Farm has not cooperated with the requirements set out under the Health of Animals Act including failure to report the initial cases of illness and deaths to the CFIA and failure to adhere to quarantine orders. Universal Ostrich Farm was issued two notices of violations with penalty, totaling $20,000.
The farm also failed to undertake appropriate biosecurity risk mitigation measures such as limiting wild bird access to the ostriches, controlling water flow from the quarantine zone to other parts of the farm, or improving fencing. These actions significantly increase the risk of disease transmission and reflect a disregard for regulatory compliance and animal health standards.
Universal Ostrich Farm has not substantiated their claims of scientific research. CFIA has not received any evidence of scientific research being done at the infected premises.
Research documentation was not provided during the review of their request for exemption from the disposal order based on unique genetics or during the judicial review process. Further, the current physical facilities at their location are not suitable for controlled research activities or trials.
On May 13, 2025, the Federal court dismissed both of Universal Ostrich Farm’s applications for judicial review. The interlocutory injunction pausing the implementation of the disposal order was also vacated.
Following the May 13 court ruling, the farm owners and supporters have been at the farm in an apparent attempt to prevent the CFIA from carrying out its operations at the infected premises. This has delayed a timely and appropriate response to the HPAI infected premises, resulting in ongoing health risks to animals and humans.
CFIA’s next steps at the infected premises
Given that the flock has had multiple laboratory-confirmed cases of H5N1 and the ongoing serious risks for animal and human health, and trade, the CFIA continues planning for humane depopulation with veterinary oversight at the infected premises.
The CFIA takes the responsibility to protect the health of animals and Canadians extremely seriously as we conduct these necessary disease control measures to protect public health and minimize the economic impact on Canada's poultry industry.
For more detailed information on the CFIA’s continued response to HPAI at this infected premises, please visit our website.
https://www.canada.ca/en/food-inspec...rich-farm.html
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British Columbia
B.C. ostriches won't 'necessarily' be killed, says Canada's agriculture minister
U.S. health officials RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz have asked Canada to reconsider cull ordered over avian flu concerns
Andrew Kurjata · CBC News · Posted: May 28, 2025 2:27 PM CDT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago
Canada's minister of agriculture says a group of B.C. ostriches will "not necessarily" be killed, despite an order from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that they be culled due to concerns about the avian flu.
On Wednesday, reporters in Ottawa asked Heath MacDonald, the minister of agriculture and agri-food, about the fate of the ostriches, after high-ranking U.S. officials, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., publicly called for the herd to be spared.
"We're in a process," MacDonald said. "We're taking all facts into consideration. And we'll move forward on the best possible solution for everybody involved."
Asked directly if the birds would be killed, he said, "The process is in place. And not necessarily."
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MacDonald said he has not yet had a conversation with his U.S. counterparts about the topic, but it would be better to have a conversation rather than communicating online via social media.
"If we follow Twitter or that sort of thing with any major decisions that we're making here in Canada, I'm not sure that's the appropriate course of action," he said.
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B.C. ostriches on death row: What to know as Dr. Oz joins fight to save them
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Author of the article:By David Carrigg
Published May 27, 2025
Last updated 24 minutes ago
5 minute read
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On Monday, the farm owners filed an appeal in Federal Court in Vancouver, in a bid to overturn the May 13 ruling.
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Last week, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked the CFIA to study the ostriches’ response to the flu rather than cull them.
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After Kennedy intervened, U.S. health official and former television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz has also offered his help.
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According to Katie Pasitney, Oz had reached out to offer his ranch in Florida as a safe haven for the flock. While Pasitney said she and her parents are grateful for the support, they aren’t interested in moving the birds.
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The CFIA remains committed to culling the flock, but has not revealed when that will take place, or how.
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Statement on the Safety of CFIA Employees and the Protest of an Ostrich Cull in Edgewood, BC
Ottawa – May 26, 2025
The Agriculture Union, representing employees of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), has grown increasingly concerned in recent weeks about intimidation and threats made online to our members regarding a possible cull at the Universal Ostrich farm in Edgewood, BC. Employees of the CFIA have been mandated by a court order to carry out a cull at the ostrich farm following an outbreak of avian flu in December 2024. The Agriculture Union supports every individual’s right to peaceful protest, so long as it does not obstruct the work of our members. We expect our members to be able to engage in their work in a safe environment, free of physical threats and intimidation. The right to safe work is a fundamental right for everyone in Canada.
Avian flu poses a serious risk to our farms, our economy, and our population. While we sympathize with those whose livelihoods are affected, our members are obligated to enforce the Health of Animals Act, which protects humans and animals against the spread of dangerous diseases.
The members of the Agriculture Union in the CFIA are proud to protect the food safety and security of all Canadians, and they should not have to feel threatened for protecting others.
-Milton Dyck, National President, Agriculture Union
(For more information, contact LakoffA@psac-afpc.com or 581-318-2064)
To download this statement as a PDF, click here
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British Columbia
CFIA says B.C. ostrich cull will go ahead despite regional district refusing to accept the carcasses
Federal agency says dates for cull will not be shared with public in advance
CBC News · Posted: May 18, 2025 3:07 PM CDT | Last Updated: May 18
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says it is going ahead with a cull of nearly 400 ostriches living in southeastern B.C. over fears of avian flu.
It doubled down on its decision on Saturday, despite the local regional district passing a motion earlier this week saying it will not accept the birds' carcasses at local landfills after they are killed until the CFIA conducts more tests on the birds and makes those results public.
The federal agency told CBC News it's aware of the motion.
"The CFIA will begin the humane depopulation and disposal of birds at the infected premises with veterinary oversight. Operational plans and dates will not be shared with the public in advance," the CFIA said in a statement.
"We have a duty to protect Canadians from the serious potential risks that avian influenza presents to our people and our economy."
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British Columbia
B.C. premier 'frustrated' CFIA isn't showing 'flexibility' on ostrich cull, landfill refuses to take carcasses
Conservative MP says he is working to stop cull as farm's supporters gather
Andrew Kurjata · CBC News · Posted: May 15, 2025 6:36 PM CDT | Last Updated: May 15
B.C. Premier David Eby says he is frustrated that the federal Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is refusing to revisit a decision to have a herd of nearly 400 ostriches living in southeastern B.C. killed over fears of avian flu.
At the same time, a Conservative MP is seeking to have the decision overturned and the local regional district says it will not accept the birds' carcasses at local landfills after they are killed.
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While a total of 69 ostriches are reported to have been killed by avian flu, the farm says the last death came in January and in the time since none of the remaining birds have been exhibiting symptoms of disease.
"Our animals are happy, they're healthy, they're laying eggs, they're beautiful," said Katie Pastiney, who has been acting as a spokesperson for the farm which is co-owned by her mother.
She was speaking at a Regional District of Central Kootenay meeting held Thursday which was attended by about 300 people online, many objecting to the cull.
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Speaking to CBC News after the meeting, McLaren-Caux said the board passed two motions on Thursday. One states that it will not accept the carcasses of the ostriches until the CFIA conducted more testing on the birds, while a second motion asks that the results of those tests be made public.
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Hat tip to The Remanded@TheRemanded
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British Columbia
Protesters gather at B.C. farm as ostriches set to be killed over bird flu fears
Universal Ostrich lost court case seeking to overturn order from Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Andrew Kurjata · CBC News · Posted: May 14, 2025 6:45 PM CDT | Last Updated: May 14
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The CFIA says it is moving ahead with the cull following a court ruling issued May 13 that found the agency had followed the proper procedures for making the decision to order the procedure, and that it has a broad mandate to make the decisions on behalf of the Canadian government.
Though the judge in the case said he sympathized with the farm for the economic and emotional toll the loss of its birds would have, he also wrote in his decision that must be balanced against the greater public good associated with the CFIA's mandate of working to stop the spread and mutation of the deadly bird disease.
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Regional District of Central Kootenay spokesman Dan Elliott says it received the landfill certificate to possibly handle the dead ostriches in January, adding the district has not received any information on when a possible cull would happen.
"In response to the need to manage avian influenza disease, the Regional District of Central Kootenay has received an operational certificate from the provincial Ministry of Environment and Parks to handle the disposal of the avian influenza-infected waste if the culling of the ostriches goes ahead," Elliott says.
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Judicial review upholds Canadian Food Inspection Agency order to dispose of birds located at an infected premises in Edgewood, British Columbia
May 14, 2025
Following an expedited judicial review, the Federal Court of Canada has determined that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) acted reasonably within the authorities provided under the Health of Animals Act when it issued an order to the owners of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infected premises in Edgewood, British Columbia (BC), to dispose of ostriches exposed to HPAI.
The court dismissed both applications from Universal Ostrich Farm for judicial review as it found the Agency's decisions were reasonable based on the record before the decision-maker and were made in a procedurally fair manner.
The Health of Animals Act is the primary federal legislative authority for preventing, controlling and eradicating animal diseases and is administered by the CFIA. Orders issued under Section 48 of the Health of Animals Act enable the CFIA to respond effectively to outbreaks of animal diseases in Canada and to help protect animal and human health.
All avian influenza viruses, particularly H5 and H7 viruses, have the potential to infect mammals including humans. A human case of H5N1 in BC earlier this year required critical care, and an extended hospital stay for the patient.
Allowing a domestic poultry flock known to be exposed to HPAI to remain alive allows a potential source of the virus to persist. It would increase the possibility of reassortment or mutation, particularly with birds raised in open pasture where there is ongoing exposure to wildlife. This could also increase the human health risk.
Our disease response aims to protect both public and animal health, as well as minimize impacts on the $6.8 billion domestic poultry industry, and the Canadian economy. This supports Canadian families and poultry farmers whose livelihoods depend on maintaining international market access for $1.75 billion in exports.
The CFIA has worked closely with the Province of British Columbia throughout the HPAI response to protect BC's poultry sector with effective disease controls measures, which mitigate the impact on poultry production in the province.
The CFIA will begin the humane depopulation and disposal of birds at the infected premises with veterinary oversight. Operational plans and dates will not be shared with the public in advance.
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Day two of judicial review on fate of 400 B.C. ostriches
By Klaudia Van Emmerik Global News
Posted April 16, 2025 8:23 pm
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“The fact of the matter is our animals are alive, happy and healthy, and they’re thriving,” said Katie Pasitney of Universal Ostrich Farms. “To kill them right now would be cruel.”
According to farm operators, the birds have achieved herd immunity with no sign of illness since Jan. 15.
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Lawyers representing CFIA argued the ‘stamping out’ order is an international standard for the public’s safety, adding depopulation is the most effective means of preventing the spread of the disease.
They also argued that the policy protects Canada’s poultry exports and economy.
However, farm owners believe saving the ostriches is in the public’s best interest.
“They should come in with different ways of helping our farms protect their survivors,” Paistney said. “You don’t kill the survivors. We protect the survivors. They’re what’s going to take us through giving us immunity with the next virus.”
The case has garnered international attention.
It’s not known when a decision on the fate of the birds will come down.
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Follow-up on post #70:
British Columbia
Avian flu cull order for B.C. ostrich farm to be reviewed in court today
Akshay Kulkarni · CBC News · Posted: Apr 15, 2025 7:00 AM CDT | Last Updated: 5 hours ago
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The two-day hearing, which is set to be conducted virtually starting Tuesday, is the latest development in a case that has pitted public opinion in favour of the birds against officials who say that a cull would be in the best interests of public health.
The owners of an ostrich farm in the Kootenays have won a court injunction against the cull of hundreds of their birds. A federal agency ordered the farmers to kill off their herd after avian flu was detected at the site in December, but the owners are pushing back. Brady Strachan reports.
Universal Ostrich's owners have argued that its birds have achieved herd immunity after a few dozen died in December, and its birds do not pose a public health risk — even as the agency argues that depopulation is required regardless of the remaining birds' immunity status.
"The National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) identified that the current HPAI infection in these ostriches is a new variant of the virus not seen elsewhere in Canada," a CFIA spokesperson wrote in a statement sent to CBC News last month.
"Continued transmission of avian influenza virus in animals and sporadic cases in people may increase the chance of changes to the virus itself that could lead to a human-to-human transmission scenario and/or more severe strains of avian influenza virus for humans."
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Researchers contacted by CBC News say there is limited information on whether ostriches can develop immunity to avian flu.
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British Columbia
With 8.7M birds dead, B.C. farmers assess avian flu toll, and worry about what's next
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Brieanna Charlebois · The Canadian Press · Posted: Apr 07, 2025 7:00 AM CDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago
There is a window of relief for British Columbia farmers from the devastating waves of avian flu, leaving them to assess the toll of outbreaks spanning more than three years that saw millions of birds culled at hundreds of farms.
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Close to 80 poultry farms in B.C. have experienced avian flu outbreaks since the middle of October, according to the B.C. Poultry Association.
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More than 8.7 million commercial and backyard birds have been culled in the province, more than half the national toll of 14.5 million.
The agency said in January that the worldwide scale of the avian flu is "unprecedented and continues to have significant impacts on Canada's poultry industry." But there have been no new infections reported in B.C. since Jan. 11.
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B.C. Chief Veterinarian Teresa Burns said preliminary research suggests fall migration periods are worse than spring because birds land and spend more time in the Fraser Valley. They seem to bypass the region in the spring, she said.
"Each fall, we've had quite a serious outbreak but we've actually been fortunate to have no infections in the spring last year, although the year before, there were some infections in the spring period."
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Translation Google
Ostrich herd scheduled for culling gets reprieve
Radio-Canada
Posted yesterday at 7:45 PM CST
A Federal Court judge has stayed an order to cull a flock of ostriches that had been hit by bird flu while the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reviews its decision. The approximately 400 birds were to be culled this Saturday.
In his ruling, Judge Michael Battista wrote that he was persuaded by the ranchers' arguments that the farm would suffer irreparable harm .
He also questioned the need for a cull in the first place, which will be the subject of a future court decision.
"We're going to make changes ," Pasitney promised before hugging her mother, who owns the farm, when the decision was announced.
At this farm in Edgewood, 175 kilometres west of Kelowna, 69 ostriches have died from bird flu in recent months. Katie Pasitney, however, believes the Universal Ostrich herd has reached a point of herd immunity .
The ostriches were to be slaughtered on February 1st.
Experts contacted by CBC /Radio-Canada, however, point out that there is little information to confirm whether ostriches can develop immunity to bird flu.
Since 2022, 14 million birds, including 9 million in British Columbia, have died or been culled due to avian influenza.
Universal Ostrich 's attorney , Michael Carter, said the courts and the ACIA should take into account the unique circumstances of ostrich farming, including its remoteness and its difference from poultry farming where most culling has taken place to date.
He said that the ACIA had other options such as quarantine or continuous monitoring rather than the agency's automatic culling .
The birds are in good health according to the breeder
No deaths have been reported since January 14 and the birds still in the flock have no symptoms, according to Katie Pasitney, who points out that those that died were young and therefore more fragile.
She also believes the risk of virus transmission is limited since the farm does not sell its animals for meat.
On December 31, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency ordered the herd to be slaughtered on February 1, this Saturday. An order perceived by the owners of the farm and their supporters as an example of government interference.
An ostrich can live up to 30 or 40 years and Universal Ostrich breeders explain that they have a bond of attachment with their birds.
On January 27, the ACIA issued a press release in which it acknowledges the emotional burden that the death of animals can represent while recalling that her job was to minimize the risk of spreading the virus, including potentially to humans.
A support group has been formed
Animal rights group Animal Justice has come out in support of Universal Ostrich , arguing that authorities should instead focus on the living conditions of poultry in large breeding facilities.
Other groups and individuals who have previously campaigned against public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have joined the movement because farmers insist that ostriches have natural antibodies that should be studied to help treat humans .
With information from Sarah Penton, Yvette Brend, Brady Strachan and Akshay Kulkarni
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CFIA's Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on British Columbia Ostrich Farm
January 27, 2025
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada's national poultry sectors have been responding to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Canada since December 2021. The scale of the current worldwide HPAI outbreak is unprecedented and continues to have significant impacts on Canada's poultry industry. The CFIA acknowledges that this is a challenging situation for everyone involved, including animal owners, producers, animal health professionals, and communities across the country.
The CFIA has acted to minimize the risk of the virus spreading within Canadian flocks and to other animals. All avian influenza viruses, particularly H5 and H7 viruses, have the potential to infect mammals including humans. Our disease response has aimed to protect public and animal health, minimize impacts on the domestic poultry industry, and the Canadian economy. This supports Canadian families and poultry farmers whose livelihoods depend on maintaining international market access.
In domestic poultry, including ostriches, this is accomplished through timely depopulation of domestic birds on infected premises, implementing strong biosecurity measures, and properly disposing of carcasses from birds exposed to the disease. These disease control measures are consistent with the CFIA's mandate under the Health of Animals Act and align with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) guidelines.
Depopulation can be a distressing outcome for an animal owner. When a depopulation is necessary, the CFIA provides an opportunity for all poultry farmers to develop the most appropriate plan based for their flock and facilities. CFIA veterinarians and inspectors work with poultry farmers to see that depopulation is completed humanely using internationally accepted methods. We also provide guidance to producers throughout the process of depopulation, disposal, and cleaning and disinfection, so they can resume their operations as quickly as possible. Most infected premises start the depopulation process within days of confirmed cases of HPAI.
When depopulation is completed, producers may be awarded compensation in accordance with the Health of Animals Act and under the Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations. Compensation is based on the fair market value of the animals. For ostriches, compensation of up to $3000 per bird may be awarded when there is supporting documentation. While compensation may not offset the emotional toll of depopulation, it can provide resources to recover and reestablish operations.
The CFIA takes the responsibility to protect the health of animals and Canadians extremely seriously as we conduct these necessary disease control measures to protect public health and minimize the economic impact on Canada's poultry industry. Date modified: 2025-01-27
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Posted: Jan 31, 2025 8:00 AM CST | Last Updated: 2 hours ago
Andrew Kurjata · CBC News ·
A flock of B.C. ostriches ordered killed after avian flu was detected on their farm have been granted a stay of execution by a Federal Court judge.
In a ruling shared Friday afternoon, Justice Michael Battista said that the Feb. 1 deadline for the birds to be killed should be suspended until after a hearing on the original order from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) can be reviewed by the courts. ...
The owners of an ostrich farm in the Kootenays have won a court injunction against the cull of hundreds of their birds.
... some ostriches on the farm have indeed died of avian flu — 69 in total — they are just a small percentage of the overall flock.
"We're at herd immunity," she argued, saying there have been no new deaths since Jan. 14, and telling CBC News that of the birds who are still alive, none are exhibiting symptoms of the illness. ...
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