Universal Ostrich Farm Fights Cull Order, Gains Support from Rental Firm

Supporters of the Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, British Columbia, are celebrating a recent development following a public demand from a truck rental company for the return of vehicles rented by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The CFIA has ordered the cull of approximately 400 ostriches at the farm due to an outbreak of avian influenza that resulted in the deaths of 69 birds last December.

The spokesperson for the farm, Katie Pasitney, stated that the CFIA aims to execute the cull this weekend. In response, the farm has rallied its supporters for what they are calling a “last stand.” Their concern heightened when they discovered that the CFIA had rented large panel trucks from Clearway Car and Truck Rentals to facilitate the cull.

On social media, many supporters expressed their discontent by posting one-star reviews on Clearway’s Google page. In a statement issued on Instagram, Clearway clarified that they had no prior knowledge of the intended use of their vehicles. “Clearway had no prior knowledge that our vehicles would be used for this operation,” the company wrote. “We were made aware only yesterday and have since taken immediate action.”

The rental firm announced that it had formally demanded the return of its vehicles, emphasizing its disapproval of the cull. Following this announcement, Pasitney publicly thanked Clearway for their decision and urged the Kelowna RCMP to refuse to assist in the operation. “We can just say no. We can stand on the right side of history,” she stated, advocating for the restoration of trust between Canadians and law enforcement.

Despite the support from Clearway and the farm’s advocates, the CFIA maintains that the remaining ostriches pose a risk, even if they appear healthy. The agency emphasized that the strain of the virus identified at the farm is “among the most virulent” tested at Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory.

The farm has faced legal challenges in its efforts to halt the cull, having lost bids in both the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. Recently, the farm was denied another stay of the cull order while preparing to apply for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. This application must be submitted by October 3, 2023.

As the situation unfolds, the farm’s owners and supporters remain hopeful for a resolution that could spare the remaining ostriches from culling. The outcome of the legal proceedings and the stance of the local authorities will be closely monitored by both supporters and critics alike.