Supreme Court delay pushes B.C. ostrich cull decision to Oct. 30; a farm protester arrested amid ongoing CFIA quarantine dispute.
Supreme Court Decision on Hold
The Supreme Court of Canada is unlikely to decide whether to hear a last-ditch appeal against a planned cull of ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., until at least Oct. 30. The farm’s owners have sought a hearing to prevent the slaughter of hundreds of birds after an H5N1 outbreak killed 69 ostriches.
Arrest at the Farm
On Friday, social media presenter Jim Kerr was arrested at the Edgewood farm for allegedly breaching the quarantine perimeter established by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). RCMP officers charged Kerr under the Health of Animals Act for obstructing CFIA agents. He was later released on conditions barring him from returning to the property.
Background of the Dispute
The farm’s ostriches were affected by H5N1, prompting the CFIA to order a cull last December. While two birds tested positive, the owners argue that surviving ostriches are healthy and should be tested individually rather than killed. The CFIA counters that even apparently healthy birds may spread the virus or its mutations.
Legal Proceedings So Far
Universal Ostrich Farms has lost a series of lower court decisions but secured a temporary stay from the Supreme Court, keeping the CFIA from culling the flock while the high court considers whether to hear the appeal. Should the court refuse leave, the cull will proceed; if the appeal is granted, a final decision will follow after a full hearing.
Ongoing Tensions at the Farm
Kerr’s arrest is the latest in a series of confrontations at the farm. On Sept. 23, two individuals were arrested for obstructing CFIA agents. RCMP have also received reports of threats and harassment linked to the dispute. Farm representatives, including spokesperson Katie Pasitney, emphasized that the quarantine line must be respected.
Public and Social Media Attention
Kerr, who has been at the farm since April, has tens of thousands of social media followers and has documented the events online. His arrest drew immediate attention on platforms such as Facebook, underscoring the high public interest in the case.
