The battle to save hundreds of ostriches in British Columbia from being culled has taken an unexpected turn as a member of U.S. President Donald Trump’s inner circle has joined the fight, bringing more attention to the situation.
John Catsimatidis, a prominent New York businessman, billionaire, radio host, and close ally of Trump, has stepped in to support Universal Ostrich Farms by contributing nearly $50,000 Canadian towards their legal fees.
In a recent press conference conducted over Zoom, Catsimatidis expressed his concerns, stating, “Something is amiss in Ottawa.”
The ongoing dispute between Universal Ostrich Farms, located in Edgewood, B.C., and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) revolves around the mandated culling of over 300 ostriches following an avian flu outbreak last December.
Despite CFIA’s insistence on the cull, the farm and its notable backers argue that the ostriches are healthy and should undergo testing rather than be euthanized.
Catsimatidis has proposed that if Canada refuses to test the birds, the United States should be given the opportunity to do so. He has even suggested relocating the ostriches to Dr. Mehmet Oz’s ranch in Florida as an alternative solution.
In his efforts to resolve the situation, Catsimatidis reached out to Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging him to consider his proposal, and informed President Trump about the matter, speculating on a potential discussion between Carney and Trump.
While the CFIA stands firm on its policy requiring a complete cull in response to avian flu outbreaks, officials affirm that the ostriches are being cared for and show no signs of distress.
The Supreme Court of Canada is now overseeing the case and has temporarily halted the cull as it deliberates on whether to hear the farm’s appeal. A decision is anticipated in the near future.