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Things seem to have quietened down in and around the Universal farm in Edgewood, B.C.

There are still ostriches in the field but the CFIA agents seem to have stopped trying to round them up, at least for now. Our colleagues outside the farm say the corral area is surrounded by a high wall of straw bales, which makes it difficult to see exactly what’s going on.

Supporters are still out on the road, though their chanting has calmed down. One person is drumming.

While the CFIA says it intends to destroy the birds, it's still unclear when that will happen or if any birds have so far been killed.

We’re closing down this live page for now, but will have more coverage at cbc.ca/bc.

Ostrich farm vows to push for change at CFIA

Speaking to supporters, Universal Ostrich's Katie Pasitney said even if a cull of their birds goes ahead, they will continue to fight to change the CFIA's 'stamping-out' policy, in which every bird in a flock infected by avian flu is killed.

With limited legal options remaining after the court decision today, Universal Ostrich says its "life’s mission" will now be to push for reform at the CFIA.

"They will pay for everything they’ve done here," farm spokesperson Katie Pasitney told her supporters, referring to the inspection agency. "We will hold you accountable."

Pasitney also said they were consulting with their lawyer to see if there was anything more that could be done to save the birds.

Liberal MP Sean Casey said he hadn't been following the case closely. But he did say, "I wouldn't want to be Heath MacDonald," referring to his agriculture minister colleague.

On Facebook, farm supporters are posting contact information for MacDonald's office, urging people to reach out to try and get the cull order overturned.

As for Don Davies, the B.C.-based interim leader of the NDP: "I haven't read the [court’s] decision."

MPs react to B.C. Ostrich cull decision

Lawmakers in Ottawa were asked about the Supreme Court decision to dismiss an appeal from Universal Ostrich, clearing the path for a cull of hundreds of birds.

Our colleagues in Ottawa caught some MPs in the halls today and were able to ask them for their reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision.

"We obviously are pleased to see the decision," said Sean Fraser, minister of justice and attorney general of Canada.

"It's important that the minister of agriculture and CFIA are able to protect the health of the general Canadian public and the food we consume, and the poultry industry, as well."

Scott Anderson, the Conservative MP who represents the ostrich farm's riding and presented a petition against the cull in the House of Commons yesterday, said he's disappointed.

"It goes to underscore the structural need for change in the CFIA," he said. But he did not answer when reporters asked whether he'd asked the government to stop the cull.

As the CFIA continues to round up the ostriches today, it’s worth noting that B.C. Has been particularly affected by the ongoing avian influenza outbreak, which dates back to 2022.

The agency estimates that over 17 million domestic birds have been "impacted" by the H5-subtype avian influenza across Canada, with 11 million of those birds located in B.C.

More than a dozen farms in the province have been hit by avian flu in just the past two weeks, leading to thousands more birds being culled. That’s despite commercial poultry being moved indoors across the province with migratory season in full swing.

Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, the University of Montreal professor of veterinary medicine, told our colleagues at Radio-Canada that any ostriches on the farm that were infected with avian flu but survived probably have some protection from the virus.

"But we know that protection does not last, necessarily, long term," he said in the interview.

Having the birds continually outside means they still face exposure to H5N1.

"The risk is minimal but it's not nil. And unfortunately, legally, we need to act and act quickly."

Scott Weese, the chief of infection control at the Ontario Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, says Canada has international obligations to control any outbreaks of avian flu, or its trade partners could lose confidence in its food supply.

Weese said a lot of questions remain about what the farm did to contain any outbreak, which makes the question of whether the flock is infected a reasonable one.

"This has dragged on for 10 months. There's no way that should happen in a high-risk situation."

As we've reported, the CFIA said its strict "stamping out" policy aims to protect human health, animal health and international trade access.

"Our disease response aims to protect both public and animal health, as well as minimize impacts on the $6.8 billion domestic poultry industry, and the Canadian economy," reads a statement.

"This supports Canadian families and poultry farmers whose livelihoods depend on maintaining international market access for $1.75 billion in exports."

RAW | Firecrackers set off near ostrich farm

Small explosives can be seen and heard being set off by supporters of Universal Ostrich in an apparent attempt to scare the birds away as CFIA agents attempt to round them up.

Supporters parked on the highway overlooking the CFIA-controlled compound are now setting off firecrackers in an apparent effort to spook and scatter the birds as workers attempt to round up the flock.

I’ve been checking in on various livestreams from farm supporters who have made their way to the farm. For months, this story has attracted organizations and individuals who see the cull as an example of government overreach — similar to COVID-19 health mandates and the like. Those videos have been reaching hundreds and sometimes thousands of followers.

More ostriches have been rounded up into a smaller pen within the perimeter set up by the CFIA as people blare their horns and rock music, including We’re Not Gonna Take It and We Will Rock You, alongside some more reflective tunes.

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