From flu outbreak to 'Ostrichfest' to high court, how B.C. ostrich cull saga unfolded

From Flu Outbreak to 'Ostrichfest' to High Court: How B.C. Ostrich Cull Saga Unfolded

EDGEWOOD, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA — Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., has spent over 10 months contesting a cull order from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that would lead to the death of hundreds of ostriches. On Thursday morning, the Supreme Court of Canada announced it would not hear the final appeal, allowing the cull to move forward.

Timeline of Events

Early December 2024

An outbreak of "flu-like" symptoms among the ostriches kills 25 to 30 birds in three weeks.
December 28: CFIA intervenes after an anonymous tip about the deaths, which previously went unreported, and verbally imposes a quarantine.
December 31: Samples from two bird carcasses test positive for H5 avian influenza, later confirmed as H5N1. Minutes later, CFIA issues a cull order with a deadline of February 1 to dispose of all affected birds.

January 2025

January 4–9: The farm requests an exemption from the cull, citing the ostriches' "rare and valuable genetics" worth preserving.
January 10: CFIA denies the exemption request.
January 15: The farm reports the last ostrich death, total deaths reach 69 birds.
January 31: The Federal Court places a stay on the cull order while reviewing the farm's application for judicial review.

"Universal Ostrich Farms has spent over 10 months opposing a cull order from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency."

"Samples from two carcasses test positive for H5 avian influenza, later confirmed to be H5N1."

The Supreme Court's decision not to hear the appeal permits the cull to proceed, marking a pivotal moment in this long-standing dispute.

Author's summary: The prolonged legal battle over a B.C. ostrich cull ended as the Supreme Court allowed the cull to proceed after an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu killed dozens of birds.

CollingwoodToday.ca — 2025-11-06