The verdict might be in, but that doesn’t mean the fight is over for save 400 ostriches at Edgewood’s Universal Ostrich Farm.
In an emotional plea, Katie Pasitney, whose parents own the farm, says this is bigger than one farm.
“It’s not a crisis just for our family, its a wake-up call for all Canadians. Like with Covid, when we later to realize the price that we paid for the rushed decisions we made, we are risking irreversible damage and this time it’s to our farmers, our heroes who put food on our tables.” She said.
“Our agricultural sector is under attack by the very organization trusted and funded to help protect all of our farms.”
“We turned to these organizations and these agencies for assistance in collaboration not for eradication.”
Pasitney says their voice, alongside experts, senators, MP’s and MLA’s continues to be dismissed as they call for further re-testing on the animals.
Meanwhile, according to the latest judicial review on May 13, the order to have the birds killed due to the detection of avian flu was upheld, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) can turn up at any time to end the flock, without notice.
“They said they will do this in a matter of they’re choosing and how they do it and they will not be notifying anybody.” said Pasitney.
The farm recently had a small win with the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) refusing to accept the ostrich carcasses until further re-testing confirmed they were unhealthy, however, a sentiment Pasitney says to those not listening.
“They’re speaking up and in a unanimous agreement on a motion that they just want retesting to know that the animals are going to be accepted in their landfill were actually very sick not healthy, and so if that’s falling on deaf ears it just seems like there’s something more sinister at play here.”
RCMP on site
RCMP officers attended the farm today, Wednesday, May 21, to meet protesters and ensure all actions moving forward remain lawful and peaceful
Pasitney described the visit as a wellness check and anticipates to see them again soon, for a not so friendly encounter.
“They made a very clear that they will be here on behalf of Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.
“We reminded them that they are fathers, they are husbands, they are sons and underneath that badge they have the right to be able to take off that badge and say we’re not going to stand for this either because we’re going to protect our children’s food security our family’s food security stand-up for Canadian farmers.”
Visitors encouraged
Pasitney is encouraging everyone to visit the farm to see their birds, show their support and to keep hope alive.
CFIA responds
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)says they do not generally release details about the operations of individual farms to help protect the privacy of producers, however, managing highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in animal populations is essential for public health.
“Controlling disease in domestic poultry, including ostriches, includes depopulation of infected birds, enforcing strict biosecurity measures, and properly disposing of dead birds that may carry disease. Testing is carried out on recently deceased birds as they are the most likely to have a viral load that can be detected.”
“In poultry operations, it takes only one confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to declare an infected premises.”
In response to the RDCK’s carcass refusal prior to further testing, the CFIA says “humane depopulation and disposal of the birds will move forward in compliance with all applicable provincial environmental requirements.”
Please see the following additional information about avian influenza and the CFIA’s ongoing response to HPAI on the ostrich farm.
o Justice Zinn’s decision: https://decisions.fct-cf.gc.ca/fc-cf/decisions/en/item/528164/index.do#_Toc198034635
o Public statement: Judicial review upholds Canadian Food Inspection Agency order to dispose of birds located at an infected premises in Edgewood, British Columbia
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