Food agency will remain on B.C. ostrich farm while Supreme Court decides whether to allow farmers' appeal

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will be maintaining its presence at the Universal Ostrich Farm in southern B.C. while the Supreme Court of Canada decides whether it will hear the farmers’ appeal of the CFIA’s cull order.

A stay of the cull order came down from the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The order to slaughter almost 400 ostriches was prompted by an outbreak of avian influenza on the farm in December 2024. It killed 69 of their birds. The CFIA says the remaining ostriches may not show signs of the disease, but they could still be the source of further spread of infection to people, livestock and wildlife. Culling is a key element in the agency’s policy to stamp out avian flu .

In a statement released Thursday , the CFIA announced it “will maintain custody of the birds as ordered by the Supreme Court of Canada. (It) will provide appropriate feed and water with veterinary oversight while the birds are in the Agency’s custody.”

The search warrants that authorized the agency to take control at the ostrich farm will “remain in effect.”

In an apparent warning to the farmers’ supporters, the agency is making it known that there won’t be any access to the farm property under CFIA control without its permission.

Individuals “should pay particular attention to Sections 35(1) and 65(1) of the Health of Animals Act,” warns the agency. These provisions would prohibit obstruction of CFIA personnel. A breach could result in a summary conviction charge carrying a fine up to $50,000 or imprisonment for up to six months. Or possibly an indictable offence, carrying a fine up to $250,000 and imprisonment up to two years.

The CFIA maintains it is “committed to the safety and security of its employees and contractors” while continuing to work with the RCMP to ensure onsite security. Any threats of violence and death by “apparent supporters of the ostrich farm” will be investigated.

Supporters have been camped out at the farm for months. The farm is in Edgewood, B.C., a small community in a remote part of the province that could once only be reached by boat. As of 2021, the population was 235 .

Threats against CFIA agents date back to the Federal Court’s decision in late spring to deny the farm’s appeal against the CFIA cull order.

Shortly after the Federal Court decision, the Agriculture Union, which represents CFIA officers, raised alarm over their safety.

“(We have become) increasingly concerned in recent weeks about intimidation and threats made online,” said Milton Dyck, national union president told Canadian Occupational Safety magazine in early June.

The RCMP accompanied CFIA agents to the farm this week. It later said it has received complaints from local businesses about “threats, intimidation and harassment due to the dispute” that it is investigating.

• The Supreme Court has stayed the cull order aimed at a B.C. ostrich farm. What happens now?
• New York billionaire prepared to fund B.C. ostrich farm's legal battle against forced cull

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