Latest news with #UniversalOstrichFarm
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Universal Ostrich Farms case heads to Federal Court of Appeal
The owners of a B.C. ostrich farm that was ordered to cull 400 birds after an outbreak of avian flu brought their case to the Federal Court of Appeal in Ottawa, asking for a judicial review of the CFIA's destruction order. Katie Pasitney, the daughter of Universal Ostrich Farm's owners, says the family operation will be devastated if the order is allowed to stand. The court has reserved its decision. (July 15, 2025)
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
‘We're going to continue to fight:' B.C. ostrich farm to fight case to cull its herd in Federal Court of Appeal
A sign calling for the protection of ostriches at the Universal Ostrich Farms is displayed in Edgewood, B.C., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Hundreds of supporters flocked to the farm over the Victoria Day long weekend to protest the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's order to cull about 400 ostriches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Hemens A B.C. ostrich farm that lost dozens of birds following an avian flu outbreak last winter will be fighting in the Federal Court of Appeal in Ottawa on Tuesday to stop an order to cull the remainder of its herd. Today's hearing marks the latest development in a legal battle by Universal Ostrich Farm, located near Edgewood, B.C., to save its birds. 'We're going to continue to fight with all that we have,' Katie Pasitney, the daughter of the farm owners, said in an interview with CTV News before the hearing. 'It is very real that if we are not guaranteed Supreme Court, if we don't make it here, we will be applying for Supreme Court.' After an avian flu outbreak was detected at the farm last December, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ordered the farm to cull its remaining herd of approximately 400 birds by Feb. 1, under its 'stamping out' policy, which aims to minimize risk to human health. The agency says the farm has not complied with the Health of Animals Act by failing to report the initial cases of illness and deaths to the CFIA, failing to adhere to quarantine orders and failing to undertake risk mitigation measures. In a statement on its website in May, the CFIA says, '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 farm owners argue the remainder of their herd is healthy and have fought for additional and independent testing. According to a website dedicated to saving the ostriches, Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinski, who have owned and worked on the farm for more than 30 years, stopped producing meat at the farm in 2020 and have shifted their focus to research. 'Science is meant to evolve. Policy is meant to evolve, and that's all we're asking is that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency gives us an offer or an option to research these animals more and prove to the Canadians that they are healthy,' Pasitney said. Asked by CTV News why the farm does not trust the expertise of the CFIA, Pasitney says, 'We have experts as well and we have scientific experts, a large panel of them that have really great qualifications.' Following the order to cull the herd, the farm applied for an exemption for animals with rare genetics because of the antibody research they conduct, but the CFIA denied that application on Jan. 10. The farm then applied to the Federal Court for a judicial review of the CFIA's order, but in May, the judge ruled in favour of the CFIA, saying the cull was reasonable and procedurally fair. The Federal Court of Appeal later denied the farm's request for independent testing on June 20 and ordered Tuesday's expedited appeal. The hearing is scheduled for one day. In a statement to CTV News, the CFIA says the agency 'looks forward to a resolution that allows for the continued implementation of its regulatory response, which aims to protect public and animal health, and minimize impacts on the domestic poultry industry and the Canadian economy.' With files from The Canadian Press
The Province
6 days ago
- General
- 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
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Federal Court of Appeal to hear arguments in B.C. ostrich farm avian flu case
An ostrich stands near a warning sign for avian influenza at the Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Hundreds of supporters flocked to the farm over the Victoria Day long weekend to protest the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's order to cull 400 ostriches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Hemens 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. Universal Ostrich Farm near Edgewood, B.C., was ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to cull approximately 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 is 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.' It noted that the birds on the B.C. farm were infected with a 'novel reassortment' of the virus that had not 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. 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 was not provided documentation, including active research trial logs or detailed research protocols, and said the location is not 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. The CFIA said in a statement 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. 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 is not 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. This report by Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press, was first published July 14, 2025.
Global News
24-06-2025
- Health
- Global News
Ostrich cull order temporarily paused at Edgewood, B.C. farm as owners head to court
An ostrich farm in Edgewood, B.C., has received a temporary reprieve from the federal government, pausing the planned culling of nearly 400 birds. Universal Ostrich Farm has been fighting a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) order ever since an avian flu outbreak last year threatened to wipe out its entire flock. The stay was issued on June 20, 2025, by the Hon. Justice Roussel of the Federal Court of Appeal. It temporarily halts the CFIA's implementation of its disposal order while the farm appeals a previous decision that dismissed its application for judicial review. The appeal is set to proceed on an expedited basis, with hearings scheduled for July. Katie Pasitney, whose parents own the farm, calls the decision a critical victory. 'It's an absolutely amazing relief,' she said. Story continues below advertisement 'We wouldn't have been identified as a recovered flock if we hadn't pushed this hard to save them. We're one of the only recovered flocks in Canada. There's a lot to gain from our ostriches standing here, rather than being eliminated.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The CFIA, however, maintains its actions have been legally and scientifically justified. The agency stated the original cull order was issued in line with the Health of Animals Act, after the CFIA's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on the farm. The CFIA says it isolated the H5N1 virus from samples taken at the site, and genome sequencing revealed a novel viral reassortment not seen elsewhere in Canada. 2:09 B.C. ostrich farm in defiance of cull order Despite Pasitney's calls for additional testing to prove the flock no longer poses a threat, the Federal Court of Appeal has denied the farm's request to conduct independent tests. Story continues below advertisement According to the CFIA, there is already a robust national and international regulatory framework for testing zoonotic pathogens, and additional tests would not change the outcome. The agency emphasized that 'stamping-out' — the rapid depopulation of infected flocks — is the globally recognized strategy for containing HPAI, protecting public health, and maintaining international trade access, which is vital for Canada's $1.75 billion poultry export industry. Still, Pasitney argues the birds have developed herd immunity and could be useful for scientific research. 'We want to be part of the solution — not continued culling,' she said. 'That's going to be an important message as we move forward to Ottawa. We're gaining momentum, and farmers are contacting us saying they want to see a better Canada.' The farm has also faced enforcement issues. The CFIA claims Universal Ostrich Farm has not complied with quarantine requirements laid out under the Health of Animals Act and warns that further non-compliance could lead to additional enforcement action. At the same time, the farm is disputing $20,000 in federal fines related to alleged violations of the Act.
