An ostrich farm in the West Kootenay is preparing to host an event dubbed ‘Ostrich Fest’ during the Victoria Day long weekend, as it becomes the center of an escalating national debate.
Supporters from across Western Canada are planning convoys to the Universal Ostrich Farm near Edgewood to show solidarity with the family fighting a government-ordered cull of nearly 400 birds.
The farm has turned into a flashpoint for those opposing what they see as government overreach after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) mandated the mass cull due to avian flu infections within the flock.
The groundswell of support for the birds came after a federal judge rejected the farm’s bid for a judicial review of the order to kill the flock.
Supporters worry the CFIA could arrive anytime to start the cull.
A small win was celebrated by the self-declared Ostrich Sheriffs, when the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) passed a motion Thursday to conduct further testing for avian flu the flock before the region’s landfill in Castlegar accepts the carcasses. Several hundred people attended the RDCK board meeting virtually to advocate for the birds.
However, a director for the RDCK admitted the effect of Thursday’s resolution is unclear because the regional government has no power over the federal agency.
The region’s landfill is equipped to deal with the carcasses if needed, but requesting further information about if the birds are infected was the board’s best option to advocate for the farm and its owners.
Newly elected Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee MP Scott Anderson visited the ostrich farm this week.
He said online that his team is working to save the ostriches while satisfying the requirements of the CFIA, and will be formally asking it to hold off on the cull to further immunology research.
He said many scientists he’s spoken to say the cull is unnecessary and the birds and eggs are extremely valuable research subjects.
The owners believe the birds may have developed herd immunity to the illness and are advocating for further research to confirm and explore this possibility.
And while the farm reported the loss of 69 ostriches due to avian flu, the last recorded death occurred in January. Since then, no further birds have exhibited symptoms or tested positive for the disease.
The CFIA has justified its decision to move forward with the cull, expressing concern that continued exposure could result in dangerous mutations of the virus.
Premier David Eby has weighed in on the matter, frustrated the CFIA is not more flexible in its decisions.
“We understand the importance of containing the bird flu and the important role that agency plays,” he said. “What’s hard to watch is a lack of discretion and ability to evaluate case-by-case scenarios.”
