Bad News for the Ostriches

(Edgewood, B.C.) – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has executed a warrant at a B.C. ostrich farm whose owners’ months-long efforts to fight cull orders have involved courtroom wrangling, protests and the interest of officials in Donald Trump’s White House.

RCMP and disposal trucks converged Monday at Universal Ostrich Farms near Edgewood, B.C., where about 400 birds have been ordered culled due to the risks of avian flu. An RCMP statement says police support is being given to the lead agency, the CFIA, which has been “granted lawful authority to execute a search warrant.”

Video streamed by farm spokesperson Katie Pasitney shows men in uniforms speaking to people behind the farm’s fence. On Friday, the farm said they had received information from a source indicating the CFIA would be set to cull their birds at some point in the near future.

The fight between the farm and the federal agency dates back to the outbreak of avian flu in December that would go on to kill 69 ostriches. The CFIA says the ostriches must be killed in compliance with international guidelines over how to handle cases of avian flu at commercial poultry operations, including ostrich farms.

Universal Ostrich, which used to sell their birds for meat but say they have since pivoted to raising them for use in scientific research, have repeatedly claimed that, because most of the birds are alive and healthy, they should be allowed to live.

The court rulings have also attracted the attention of dozens of supporters who have been gathering at the farm, as well as U.S. White House officials Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, who have urged the Canadian government to allow the ostriches to live, with Oz offering them sanctuary at his properties in the United States.

The CFIA has repeatedly said they would not provide advance notice of when the cull would take place.

John Catsimatidis had asked about potentially arranging a conversation with the Prime Minister of Canada about the ostriches.

This is a paraphrase of John’s discussions with the US ambassador to Canada;

“… Discussions then included the PM’s Chief of Staff. He apparently had discussed the issue with the PM.  But the PM has no interest in getting more involved with this issue. He has been briefed. He is supporting the bureaucracy and court decisions.  He sees no value in having a discussion with you.  He has reached a decision and it appears he is not open to having a further discussion.  It was a disappointing answer.

The PM and the Chief of Staff will both be in New York for the UN General Assembly over the next few days. It is fairly obvious with the decision to recognize the Palestinian State , inability to reach a trade deal, plus other issues they’re very comfortable stressing our relationship.  Not sure how ostriches fit into a bigger picture but they’re not bending over backwards to facilitate our requests.

The last avenue may be a direct personal appeal to PM while he is in Washington.
Wish I had better news.”

Katie Pasitney is putting out the call to @realDonaldTrump as she tries to save the ostriches: