The Supreme Court of Canada is set to announce a crucial decision next week regarding a contentious case from British Columbia’s Interior.
On Thursday, the court will reveal whether it will hear the case of Universal Ostrich Farms located in Edgewood, which has sparked heated debate.
The dispute arose when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ordered a cull of the farm’s ostriches last December due to an outbreak of avian flu that claimed the lives of 69 birds. Despite positive H5N1 flu tests on two deceased birds, the farm owners are advocating for further testing on the surviving ostriches. They argue that the unaffected birds are healthy and should not be euthanized, while the CFIA maintains that even asymptomatic ostriches can transmit the disease, potentially leading to new viral strains.
In response to the CFIA’s cull directive, the Supreme Court initially issued a temporary stay and placed the birds in CFIA custody, pending a decision on whether to hear the case. The farm owners have faced setbacks in lower courts but are seeking a final resolution from the highest court.
The outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision will determine whether the cull proceeds or if a full hearing will take place to resolve the fate of the ostrich flock. The region has seen a spike in avian influenza cases, particularly in the Fraser Valley, as migratory birds begin their seasonal journey.
According to the CFIA, nine commercial poultry flocks in the area have been affected by the virus in recent weeks, with six outbreaks in Chilliwack and three in Abbotsford.
Stay tuned for the Supreme Court’s verdict on the leave application, scheduled for Thursday, November 6, at 9:45 a.m. ET.