Supreme Court to rule next week on B.C. ostrich farm appeal over avian flu cull

The Supreme Court of Canada will decide on November 6 whether it will hear an appeal from a British Columbia ostrich farm fighting a federal order to destroy its flock following an avian flu outbreak.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near Edgewood in southeastern B.C., is seeking to overturn a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) directive to cull hundreds of birds after the virus was detected on December 31, 2024. The court’s upcoming decision on whether to grant leave to appeal will determine whether the cull can proceed immediately or be delayed for a full hearing.

The CFIA maintains that even apparently healthy ostriches can carry and spread the highly contagious disease, which poses risks to poultry farms and wildlife. Agency officials took control of the farm’s enclosure in September after the owners refused to comply with the cull order.

The farm’s owners argue that surviving birds show no symptoms and that the cull is unnecessary. The case has drawn attention in rural communities concerned about disease control measures and animal welfare during outbreaks.

A temporary stay on the cull remains in effect until the Supreme Court announces whether it will hear the case.