Cheese recalled in Ontario over listeria, CFIA says
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Toronto Star
22-07-2025
- Toronto Star
Cheese recalled in Ontario over listeria, CFIA says
The recall concerns Natural Pastures Cheese Company Mount Becher Buffalo Medium Cheese with a batch number of 854179, CFIA said. Canadian Food Inspection Agency flag wire: false flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
CBC
22-07-2025
- CBC
Invasive Japanese beetles found outside downtown core in Kamloops, B.C.
A Kamloops, B.C., resident has reported invasive Japanese beetles outside the city's downtown core — an area which is considered a containment zone for the foliage-eating species. Also known as Popillia japonica, the invasive pest feeds on the roots of grass and the foliage of more than 300 plant species. The CFIA recognizes the insect's spread as a threat to commercial crops and native plants, and the Invasive Species Council of B.C. says it "poses a severe threat to ecosystems and industries." Late last year, the beetles were detected in the B.C. Interior city of Kamloops, the first time the pests were detected in B.C. outside the Lower Mainland. It prompted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to set up a containment zone around the city's downtown core to prevent the spread of the beetles and start a survey to assess it. Anyone transporting whole plants, soil and certain plant matter outside the zone has to get a movement certificate signed off by the CFIA — but a Kamloops resident living outside the city's regulated area recently discovered a swarm of the pests in her garden. "Every time I come out, every few hours, I check the plants because I certainly don't want these spreading. And I find more," Laine Martin, who lives on the city's west side near the fire hall, told CBC News on Monday. Martin had just returned from a vacation when she discovered almost 50 beetles on her rose and raspberry bushes. "I think that Kamloops has a problem, and I think we have to be proactive and try to combat this spread," she said. "If that means additional spraying to other areas that were outside the quarantine zone, let's get on top of this." CFIA says no cause for alarm yet Jason Crandall, the CFIA's planning chief for the Japanese beetle eradication response in B.C., said it was only the first year of their Japanese beetle survey in Kamloops. He urged residents to report any Japanese beetles if they find them, and trap and freeze them so inspectors can more accurately map their spread. "It's the first year of the proper survey. So you know, if you're out in your backyard and you're looking at your roses ... and you find beetles, don't panic," he said. "It's important to act. But you shouldn't let that spin into fear." Crandall said the CFIA's response to the invasive Japanese beetle involves spraying plants with pesticide, which he says is incredibly effective at killing the pests, as well as regulating the movement of plant matter to prevent the beetles' spread. "Instead of just guessing or having a broad area of treatment, it's better with pesticides to have a more targeted area," he said. "And the more data we collect, the more targeted we could be." Danielle Sparks, the City of Kamloops's environmental services supervisor, dubbed the Japanese beetles a "hitchhiker species" that don't fly very far. "They do rely on humans for spreading to different areas. So trying to prevent hitchhikers is key," she said.
The Province
14-07-2025
- The Province
Federal Court of Appeal to hear arguments in B.C. ostrich farm avian flu case
Universal Ostrich Farm is owned by Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinski. A website dedicated to their fight against the CFIA says they've been raising ostriches for more than 30 years. Published Jul 14, 2025 • Last updated 59 minutes ago • 3 minute read Karen Espersen, owner of Universal Ostrich Farm, shown with some of the 400 ostriches she owns that must be culled due to an outbreak of avian flu. Photo by Universal Ostrich Farm OTTAWA — The B.C. ostrich farmers who lost dozens of birds in an outbreak of avian flu last winter will be heading to the Federal Court of Appeal on Tuesday as they try to stop the remainder of their herd from being culled. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Universal Ostrich Farm near Edgewood was ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to cull about 400 birds after an outbreak of the highly contagious avian flu was discovered on the farm in December. The CFIA maintains a 'stamping out' policy, which includes the destruction of animals and the disinfection of the premises, as defined by the World Organization of Animal Health. The CFIA says it's a critical part of maintaining not only animal and human health, but also Canada's status as a reliable international trading partner. In a statement posted to its website in late May, the agency said 'all avian influenza viruses, particularly H5 and H7 viruses, have the potential to infect mammals, including humans.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It noted that the birds on the B.C. farm were infected with a 'novel reassortment' of the virus that hadn't been seen anywhere else in Canada. The CFIA said keeping the herd alive 'increases the risk of reassortment or mutation of the virus, particularly with birds raised in open pasture where there is ongoing exposure to wildlife.' Universal Ostrich Farm is owned by Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinski. A website dedicated to their fight against the CFIA says they've been raising ostriches for more than 30 years. The pair says destruction of the herd would force them to shut down the farming operation altogether. Until 2020, the birds were raised for meat. In recent years the ostriches have been part of a research project in collaboration with Dr. Yasuhiro Tsukamoto, president of Kyoto Prefectural University in Japan who is also known as Dr. Ostrich. Tsukamoto's research focuses on the antibodies in ostrich egg yolk that can block infectious diseases. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The outbreak last winter killed 69 of the 468 ostriches, the farm's website says, and an anonymous tipster reported the farm to the CFIA. The agency ordered the remaining ostriches to be culled by Feb. 1. The farm applied for an exemption for animals with rare genetics because of the research project, but the CFIA denied that application on Jan. 10. The agency said it wasn't provided documentation, including active research trial logs or detailed research protocols, and said the location isn't suitable for controlled trials or research. The farm then sought a judicial review, and was granted a stay of the cull order in the meantime. The CFIA has imposed 19 quarantine measures on the farm, according to the farm's website. It has also issued $20,000 in penalties for failing to report the outbreak and for failing to adhere to quarantine orders. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The CFIA said in a statement that the farm's actions 'reflect a disregard for regulatory compliance and animal-health standards.' Supporters spent several weeks camped out at the property in the early spring and have vowed to fight the CFIA's order. Over the weekend the farm hosted an event it billed as 'Farm Aid Canada,' with a range of musical performers playing over three days. They included Tamara Lich, an organizer of the 'Freedom Convoy' protest that brought downtown Ottawa to a standstill in early 2022, who was convicted in April of mischief for her role in the demonstration. The farm's owners said online that the event was a way to fundraise for the legal fees and travel costs of getting to Ottawa for Tuesday's hearing. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The case has garnered international attention, including from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz. The farm's owners declined Dr. Oz's offer to relocate the herd to his own Florida property. Kennedy wrote a public letter to the CFIA's president, Paul MacKinnon, arguing there was significant value in studying the birds' immune response to the virus. Universal Ostrich Farm applied to the Federal Court for a judicial review of the CFIA's order to cull the herd, and the court dismissed both applications on May 13. The judge ruled that the agency's decision to order the cull was reasonable and procedurally fair, and noted that it isn't up to the courts to resolve scientific disputes. The Federal Court of Appeal denied the farm's request for independent testing on June 20, and ordered an expedited appeal. The hearing is scheduled for one day. Read More Vancouver Canucks News Sports Betting News Local News
