Canada - British Columbia: Avian Influenza in Poultry 2024-25

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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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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ostrich-eby-conservatives-1.7536359

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Hat tip to The Remanded@TheRemanded

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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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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cfia-says-ostrich-cull-will-go-ahead-1.7538341

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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

https://www.agrunion.com/statement-on-the-safety-of-cfia-employees-and-the-protest-of-an-ostrich-cull-in-edgewood-bc/

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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.

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/bc-ostrich-cull-controversy-what-you-need-to-know

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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.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/federal-minister-ostriches-1.7546052

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[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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Translation Google

Ostrich farm threatened with cull calls for independent testing

The Canadian Press
Posted at 8:34 AM

Operators of a British Columbia ostrich flock under a cull order following a bird flu outbreak are calling for independent testing of the birds to prevent their "unnecessary destruction."

Katie Pasitney , whose mother co-owns Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, released a statement Monday saying the nearly 400 ostriches are healthy and have shown no signs of illness for more than four months.

The statement said the herd poses no threat and should be tested for persistent avian flu infections, adding that ostriches have acquired herd immunity to the virus and are a valuable scientific resource.

This statement was made following a lengthy update from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on Friday, announcing that it had fined the farm $20,000 for non-cooperation with measures to combat avian flu.

The agency said it issued two violation notices to the farm for failing to report diseases and deaths within the herd last year and failing to comply with quarantine orders.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency CFIA says the type of avian influenza infection present at the scene is a mutation not seen in Canada and includes a genotype associated with a human infection in a poultry worker in Ohio .

The declaration of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency CFIA represents a rejection of proposals by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, who wrote to the president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency CFIA last week to request that the birds be kept for joint research.

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/rci/fr/nouvelle/2169442/autruches-tests-independants-edgewood

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Opinion

The Scientific and Ethical Case for Sparing the Ostriches

Avian flu is serious, but opposition to a cull isn’t just emotional.

Jan Hajek Today The Tyee
Jan Hajek is an infectious diseases doctor based at Vancouver General Hospital and a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia.
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This week the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, or CFIA, released an update on the ostrich farm situation.

To be clear, the policy in Canada, as in many other countries, is that commercial poultry infected with H5N1 should be slaughtered and the farm financially compensated to restock with new birds. The B.C. ostriches (which had previously been vaccinated against COVID so that antibodies could be extracted from their eggs for commercial purposes) are not unique in surviving H5N1. Thousands of ostriches in South Africa with H5N1 have survived — and were also quarantined and culled.

But there are other important considerations.

First of all, there are the economic and practical realities. Consider cows. There are thousands of cows in the United States with H5N1. People have even gotten sick with H5N1 from these cows, likely as milk gets splashed into their eyes. And there has been H5N1 transmission from the cows back to birds. Arguably, the infected cows pose a larger public health risk than the ostriches in B.C. Where is the outcry to slaughter those cows?
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Chickens are obviously different from cows. When infected with H5N1, over 90 per cent of the birds will die over the next few days. Because chickens, especially broilers, are usually slaughtered at a very young age anyway, it makes economic sense to slaughter the whole flock right away as soon as an outbreak has been detected. Then disinfect the building, and quickly start again.

Dairy cows, like those ostriches on the B.C. farm, have much better chances of survival than chickens. They are also slaughtered at a much later age than chickens. The economics weigh heavily, and, despite public health risks, the cows are not culled.
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https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025/06/05/Scientific-Ethical-Case-Sparing-Ostriches/

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Federal Court of Appeal upholds CFIA order to dispose of birds located at an infected premises in Edgewood, British Columbia

Aug. 21, 2025

Following an expedited appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal has unanimously upheld the May 13, 2025, decision of the Federal Court of Canada to dismiss both applications from Universal Ostrich Farms for judicial review.

The Federal Court of Canada previously determined that the Agency's decisions were reasonable based on the evidentiary record and were made in a procedurally fair manner. It was determined that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) acted reasonably within the authorities provided under the Health of Animals Act.

CFIA's legislative mandate


The Health of Animals Act is the primary federal legislative authority for the prevention, control and eradication animal diseases and is administered by the CFIA. Orders issued under section 48 of the Health of Animals Act authorize the CFIA to respond effectively to outbreaks of animal diseases in Canada and to help protect animal and human health in Canada.

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.

Next steps


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.

The CFIA does not generally release details about the operations of individual farms to help protect the privacy of producers. Accordingly, specific operational plans and dates will not be shared with the public in advance.

Date modified: 2025-08-21

https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/latest-bird-flu-situation/investigations-and-orders/british-columbia-ostrich-farm/infected-premises-edgewood-british-columbia

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British Columbia

New analysis indicates higher lethality of avian flu at B.C. ostrich farm: CFIA vet

Universal Ostrich has been fighting a cull order imposed by federal authorities in court

Brenna Owen · The Canadian Press · Posted: Sep 10, 2025 6:11 PM CDT | Last Updated: September 10
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The affidavit by Cathy Furness with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says further investigation of samples taken from the birds revealed the "novel reassortment" of the virus has "enhanced the pathogenicity" of the strain.

It says the strain was "among the most virulent" tested at Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory and even low doses killed mice within a few days.
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Furness says the chances they are infected or will become infected "is unknown by CFIA, due to gaps in the available science regarding how long immunity to (avian influenza) viruses may last in an individual ostrich," as well as a lack of information about how many ostriches were infected during the original outbreak.
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Avian influenza viruses can survive for months or even years in fresh water at low temperatures and have been documented surviving in manure and on feathers in low temperatures for about four to six months, the affidavit says.

"Therefore, a source of infection or reinfection with (avian influenza) can remain in the environment long after individual infected birds have recovered," it says.
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ostrich-farm-avian-flu-case-1.7630656

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RCMP escort CFIA to execute search warrant on B.C. ostrich farm

Canadian Press
about 2 hours ago

EDGEWOOD, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA — Mounties say they have been requested to attend an ostrich farm in British Columbia's Interior where about 400 birds have been ordered culled after avian flu swept through the flock last year.

An RCMP statement says police support is being given to the lead agency, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which has been "granted lawful authority to execute a search warrant."

A spokeswoman for Universal Ostrich Farms, Katie Pasitney, says in a video posted on Facebook that a convoy of police vehicles and waste disposal trucks rolled up Monday outside the property in Edgewood, B.C.
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https://www.rmoutlook.com/national-news/rcmp-escort-cfia-to-execute-search-warrant-on-bc-ostrich-farm-11245044

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Video posted by Katie Pasitney on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/100...ndinhandplease

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CFIA says B.C. ostrich farmers must leave or face arrest

By The Canadian Press
Published: September 23, 2025 at 5:21AM EDT

Nearly 400 ostriches will meet their fate as the CFIA prepares to carry out a cull. Andrew Johnson has the latest.
(Video)

The owners of an ostrich farm, whose flock is subject to a cull order, must leave today or face removal by police called in by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
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https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/cfia-says-bc-ostrich-farmers-must-leave-by-tuesday-or-face-arrest/

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BC SPCA statement on ongoing activities at Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, B.C.

September 23, 2025

Since 2004, British Columbia has seen ongoing concerns related to avian influenza outbreaks, particularly on poultry farms. Avian influenza, also known as “bird flu,” is a viral infection that spreads easily and quickly among both farmed and wild birds but can also be spread to people and other animals. As there is currently no treatment for infected birds, farmed animals are euthanized when flocks are confirmed to be infected to reduce animal suffering and prevent the risk of further disease transmission.

In disease control cases, such as the one involving the Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, the authority and jurisdiction to make decisions falls under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The BC SPCA does not have any authority to intervene or influence the decision-making process where avian influenza is a factor, nor does it have the authority to prevent a legally permitted cull from happening.

In situations where an animal is suffering from a mental or physical illness that cannot be treated, or an illness that poses a serious public health or public safety concern, euthanasia may be an appropriate action. In these situations, the BC SPCA believes the methods used to euthanize any animal must be humane and ensure that fear, pain and anxiety are kept to minimal levels prior to and during killing. Details of the BC SPCA’s position statement on humane killing can be found here.

The BC SPCA recognizes the negative impact of euthanasia for disease control purposes on the animals, farmers, and the community. The organization actively advocates for changes to wildlife and farmed animal management efforts that protect animal health and welfare to reduce the spread of avian influenza to avoid the need for euthanasia in the future.

Anyone with concerns related to the activities at the Universal Ostrich Farm are encouraged to reach out to CFIA directly.

https://spca.bc.ca/news/bc-spca-statement-on-ongoing-activities-at-universal-ostrich-farm-in-edgewood-b-c/

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CFIA prepares for cull on B.C. ostrich farm after outbreak of avian influenza

By The Canadian Press
Published: September 24, 2025 at 5:25AM EDT
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A wall of hay bales about three metres tall has been constructed at the farm near the tiny community of Edgewood in southeastern B.C., and several people wearing white protective suits could be seen from the nearby highway on Tuesday.

The installation of the hay bales followed the arrests of Karen Espersen, who is a co-owner of the farm, as well as her daughter, Katie Pasitney, after they refused an opportunity to voluntarily leave the ostriches’ pen earlier Tuesday.

The pair returned home later in the day, although Pasitney says they are not allowed to go back inside the ostrich pen, which has been under CFIA control since Monday.
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https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/cfia-prepares-for-cull-on-bc-ostrich-farm-after-outbreak-of-avian-influenza/

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Supreme Court of Canada grants stay in the case B.C. ostrich cull

CFIA had been preparing to destroy the flock at Universal Ostrich Farm in southeastern B.C.

CBC News · Posted: Sep 24, 2025 11:49 AM CDT | Last Updated: 3 minutes ago


The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) has issued a stay in the case of a B.C. Ostrich farm fighting to stop a cull of its 400-bird flock over an avian flu outbreak.
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The order, issued Wednesday, pauses the agency's Dec. 31, 2024 Notice to Dispose, while the court mulls the farm's application for leave to appeal a lower court decision that allowed the cull to proceed.

The SCC order says the application for leave to appeal will be dealt with on an expedited basis.

The court directed that the CFIA maintain custody of the birds and said the farm must not interfere with federal oversight pending a decision on the application. The agency must file any response by Oct. 3, with the farm allowed to reply within two days of that filing.
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/stay-of-execution-b-c-ostriches-1.7642092