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 notable case from British Columbia's Interior involving Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood.

Background of the Case

The dispute concerns a cull ordered in December by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) following an outbreak of avian flu that resulted in the deaths of 69 ostriches.

Tests on two deceased birds confirmed the presence of the H5N1 flu strain.
The farm owners argue that the surviving ostriches appear healthy and should be tested before any further action.
The CFIA maintains that apparently healthy birds can still carry and spread the virus, including its new variants.

Legal Proceedings

After a series of losses in lower courts, the farm owners sought intervention from the Supreme Court. The top court granted a temporary stay on the cull and instructed the CFIA to take custody of the birds until it reaches a decision on whether to proceed with hearing the case.

"The Supreme Court of Canada will make a decision next week about whether it will hear a high-profile case out of B.C’s Interior." – The Canadian Press and Dean Recksiedler

Decision on this matter will be announced next Thursday, marking a critical step for the farm owners fighting the CFIA's order.

Author’s summary: The Supreme Court's forthcoming decision will determine if Universal Ostrich Farms can challenge the CFIA’s order to cull ostriches following an H5N1 avian flu outbreak.

CityNews Vancouver — 2025-10-31

Supreme Court of Canada to Decide on Ostrich Cull Case

Background of the Case

Legal Proceedings

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