From flu outbreak to 'Ostrichfest' to high court, how B.C. ostrich cull saga unfolded

From Flu Outbreak to Ostrich Cull: The B.C. Saga

Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, has been fighting a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) order to cull hundreds of its birds for over 10 months. On Thursday morning, the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear a final appeal, allowing the cull to proceed.

Key Events Timeline

December 2024

Early December: An outbreak of "flu-like" symptoms among the ostriches kills 25 to 30 birds over three weeks.
December 28: The CFIA responds to an anonymous report about the deaths at the farm, which had not been reported before, and imposes a quarantine verbally.
December 31: Tests on two carcasses confirm presence of H5 avian influenza, later identified as H5N1. The CFIA promptly issues a cull order requiring all affected birds to be disposed of by February 1, 2025.

January 2025

January 4–9: The farm requests an exemption from the cull, arguing that their ostriches possess “rare and valuable genetics” that should be preserved.
January 10: The CFIA denies the exemption request.

Final Judicial Decision

On November 6, 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada announced it would not hear the farm’s last appeal, effectively permitting the cull to go ahead.

"The Supreme Court of Canada on Thursday morning announced it would not hear a final appeal, allowing the cull to proceed."

This decision brings a close to a lengthy legal and regulatory battle surrounding animal health and genetic preservation concerns.

Author’s Summary

The prolonged legal dispute over the ostrich cull in British Columbia highlights the tension between disease control efforts and protecting valuable animal genetics.

CityNews Halifax — 2025-11-06