CFIA says ostrich cull will go ahead after High Court decides it won't hear appeal

CFIA Confirms Ostrich Culling After Supreme Court Decision

EDGEWOOD, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced it would proceed with the complete depopulation of hundreds of ostriches at a farm in Edgewood, British Columbia, following the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision not to hear the owners’ appeal.

The agency stated on Thursday that it has fully complied with all prior court rulings and now expects the farm’s owners and supporters to do the same after the Supreme Court’s judgment.

"The agency has respected all orders of the courts and expects the ostrich farm owners and supporters to do the same now that the Supreme Court of Canada has issued its judgment," the CFIA said.

The High Court’s refusal to consider a final appeal effectively ends the legal battle for the owners of Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, more than ten months after the CFIA issued a culling order in response to an avian influenza outbreak.

Earlier decisions from the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal had already ruled against the farm, and Thursday’s outcome cleared all remaining legal obstacles for the agency to begin the cull.

Reactions at the Farm

At the farm, supporters gathered in a prayer circle as co-owner Dave Bilinski shared the news of the ruling.

“Maybe a miracle will happen yet,” said Bilinski.

Some supporters expressed strong emotions, with one calling the CFIA "criminals" and declaring an intent to leave Canada, while another described the court’s decision as "disgusting."

Author’s Summary

The CFIA will proceed with an ostrich cull in Edgewood, B.C., after the Supreme Court refused to hear the farm owners’ appeal, ending a ten‑month legal battle over an avian flu outbreak.

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Niagara-on-the-Lake Local Niagara-on-the-Lake Local — 2025-11-06

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