Supreme Court of Canada shares date on decision to hear Ostrich cull case

Supreme Court of Canada to Decide on Ostrich Cull Case

The Supreme Court of Canada will announce next Thursday whether it will hear a high-profile case from B.C.'s Interior involving Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood.

Background of the Case

The owners of Universal Ostrich Farms are challenging a cull ordered last December by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The cull followed an outbreak of avian flu that reportedly killed 69 birds in the flock.

Tests on two of the deceased ostriches confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus. However, the farmers request testing of the surviving birds, claiming they show no signs of illness and should not be culled.

Positions of the Parties

The farm owners argue that the remaining ostriches appear healthy and should be spared.
The CFIA states that even apparently healthy ostriches can transmit the disease, including potential new mutations of the virus.

Legal Developments

The Supreme Court temporarily halted the cull and instructed the CFIA to take custody of the birds while deciding if it will hear the case brought by the farm owners, who have faced defeat in lower courts.

"The Supreme Court will announce next Thursday if it will take on the case of Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood."

"Ostriches that appear healthy can still spread the disease, including new mutations of the virus."

Author’s summary: The Supreme Court of Canada will soon decide on hearing Universal Ostrich Farms’ challenge to a CFIA-ordered cull following an H5N1 outbreak that killed many birds despite the owners’ claims of healthy survivors.

CityNews Vancouver — 2025-11-01

Supreme Court of Canada to Decide on Ostrich Cull Case

Background of the Case

Positions of the Parties

Legal Developments

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