Union says CFIA staff facing intimidation and threats over planned B.C. ostrich cull
The president of the union representing staff of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it's increasingly concerned about 'intimidation and threats' against workers over a planned cull of ostriches at a farm in British Columbia.
Milton Dyck of the Agriculture Union says workers have been receiving threats online over the planned cull that was ordered after an outbreak of avian flu, and protesters have gathered at the property at Edgewood, B.C., to try to block it from happening.
Dyck says in a statement Monday that the union supports the right to peaceful protest, so long as it doesn't obstruct workers.
He says the union expects its members to be able to work in a safe environment, 'free of physical threats and intimidation.'
The CFIA meanwhile says it will go ahead with the cull, despite a request from United States Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that the birds be spared.
Kennedy had posted a letter on social media on Friday addressed to CFIA President Paul MacKinnon, saying there is 'significant value' studying the ostriches' immune response to avian flu and asking the agency to partner in a study of the birds.
The letter is co-signed by the heads of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health, who Kennedy said took part in a conversation with MacKinnon on Thursday.
The food inspection agency said in response to a question Monday about whether Kennedy's letter will have any impact on the cull that the 'humane depopulation' of the flock will proceed.
It said dates and plans will not be shared publicly, citing privacy protections for producers.
The agency had earlier confirmed in an email that MacKinnon had a call on May 22 with the commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration along with Kennedy, who it said had expressed an interest in the H5N1 outbreak on the ostrich farm.
'The CFIA remains focused on our ongoing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) response across Canada,' the agency said in the statement issued Saturday.
Sixty-nine of the flock died of avian flu in December and January, but the owners of Universal Ostrich Farms say the remaining 400 or so birds are healthy and have acquired herd immunity, making them valuable scientific subjects.
Kennedy's intervention came after dozens of protesters gathered at the farm to try to prevent the cull ordered by federal authorities.
Some remain camped at the farm, and have been calling for more to join them.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNBC
5 hours ago
- CNBC
FDA approves Moderna's new lower-dose Covid-19 vaccine
The U.S. approved a new Covid-19 vaccine made by Moderna late Friday but with limits on who can use it — not a replacement for the company's existing shot, but a second option. The new vaccine, mNexspike, is a step toward next-generation coronavirus vaccines. It's made in a way that allows for a lower dose — a fifth of the dose of its current Covid-19 vaccine, Spikevax — by refining its immune target. The approval "adds an important new tool to help protect people at high risk of severe disease from Covid-19," Stephane Bancel, Moderna's CEO, said in a statement Saturday. The Food and Drug Administration approved the new vaccine for use in all adults 65 and older, and for people age 12 to 64 who have a least one health condition that puts them at increased risk from the coronavirus. That's the same limit that the FDA set in licensing another Covid-19 vaccine option from competitor Novavax. Those restrictions are a departure from how the U.S. has handled Covid-19 vaccines until now, reflecting skepticism about vaccines from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump officials. Moderna's existing vaccine doesn't face those limits and has long been used for anyone ages 6 months and older. The company said it expected to offer both options this fall. The FDA's approval was based on a study of 11,400 people age 12 and older that compared the new low-dose vaccine with Moderna's existing vaccine. It found the new vaccine was safe and was at least as effective — and more by some measures — than the original shot, the company said. The news came just days after the Trump administration canceled funding for Moderna to develop a vaccine against potential pandemic flu viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu, despite promising early study results.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
U.S. FDA Accepts New Drug Application Under Priority Review for sevabertinib (BAY 2927088) in HER2-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Regulatory submission is based on positive results from the ongoing Phase I/II SOHO-01 trial in patients with advanced HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Investigational agent sevabertinib (BAY 2927088) is an oral, small molecule, tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) being evaluated as a potential new targeted therapy for patients with NSCLC harboring HER2 activating mutations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants Priority Review designation for the evaluation of medicines that, if approved, would provide a significant improvement in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of a serious condition. WHIPPANY, N.J., May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bayer announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the company's new drug application (NDA) and granted Priority Review designation for the investigational compound sevabertinib (BAY 2927088), an oral, small molecule, tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), for the treatment of adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have activating human epidermal growth factor receptors 2 (HER2) (ERBB2) mutations and who have received a prior systemic therapy. "Patients with HER2-mutant NSCLC are predominantly women, may be of younger age and non-smokers. The FDA's decision to grant Priority Review designation to our application for sevabertinib is a significant milestone that supports our ongoing efforts to develop healthcare solutions that help people living with lung cancer," said Christine Roth, Executive Vice President, Global Product Strategy and Commercialization and Member of the Pharmaceuticals Leadership Team at Bayer. "If approved, sevabertinib will provide an additional treatment option for previously treated patients with advanced NSCLC harboring a HER2-activating mutation." The NDA for sevabertinib is based on positive results from the ongoing Phase I/II SOHO-01 trial. Results from patients with advanced NSCLC harboring a HER2-activating mutation, who experienced disease progression after ≥1 systemic therapies for advanced disease and were naïve to HER2-targeted therapy.1 The FDA grants Priority Review designation for the evaluation of medicines that, if approved, would provide a significant improvement in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of a serious condition.2 In 2024, the FDA granted sevabertinib Breakthrough Therapy designation for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, and who have received a prior systemic therapy. The Breakthrough Therapy designation was supported by preliminary clinical evidence from the SOHO-01 trial. The FDA grants Breakthrough Therapy designation for the evaluation of investigational medicines that are intended to treat a serious condition, and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy on a clinically significant endpoint(s).3 About sevabertinib (BAY 2927088)4Sevabertinib is an investigational agent and has not been approved by any health authority for use in any country, for any indication. It is currently being evaluated as a potential new targeted treatment option for patients with NSCLC harboring human epidermal growth factor receptors 2 (HER2) activating mutations. Sevabertinib is also being studied in patients with metastatic or unresectable solid tumors harboring HER2-activating mutations. Sevabertinib is an oral, reversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that potently inhibits mutant HER2, including HER2 exon 20 insertions and HER2 point mutations, as well as epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), with high selectivity for mutant vs wild-type EGFR. Investigational agent sevabertinib is derived from Bayer's strategic research alliance with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Cambridge, MA, USA. About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.5 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for more than 85% of cases.4 Activating HER2 mutations are found in 2% to 4% of advanced NSCLC.6 80% of people diagnosed with NSCLC have already progressed to advanced stages, which makes it more difficult to treat.7 Patients with HER2-mutant NSCLC currently face limited targeted therapies.8 About Oncology at BayerBayer is committed to delivering science for a better life by advancing a portfolio of innovative treatments. The company has the passion and determination to develop new medicines that help improve and extend the lives of people living with cancer. The oncology franchise at Bayer includes several marketed products across diverse indications and multiple compounds in different stages of clinical development. We have a wealth of expertise in areas including Tumor Cell Intrinsic Pathways, Targeted Radionuclide Therapies, and selective Next-Generation Immuno-Oncology. With our portfolio we are advancing cancer treatments from early to metastatic stage, with the goal of extending survival while limiting side effects for the cancer patients we serve. About BayerBayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, "Health for all, Hunger for none," the company's products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and had sales of 46.6 billion euros. R&D expenses amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to © 2025 BayerBAYER and the Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer. Find more information at Our online press service is just a click away: Follow us on Facebook: Follow us on X: Forward-Looking StatementsThis release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. References Le X, et al. Safety and efficacy of BAY 2927088 in patients with HER2-mutant NSCLC: expansion cohort from the phase I/II SOHO-01 study. Presented at the 2024 IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer; San Diego, CA, September 7-10, 2024. PL04.03. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Priority Review." Accessed April 21, 2025. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Breakthrough Therapy." Accessed April 21, 2025. First in Human Study of BAY2927088 in Participants Who Have Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) With Mutations in the Genes of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and/or Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2). Clinical trial registration No. NCT05099172. Accessed April 21, 2025. American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Lung Cancer. Accessed April 21, 2025. Nützinger, J, et al. (2023). Management of HER2 alterations in non-small cell lung cancer - The past, present, and future. Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 186, 107385. Yale Medicine. "Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer." Accessed April 21, 2025. Uy NF,et al. HER2 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Review of Emerging Therapies. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Aug 27;14(17):4155. doi: 10.3390/cancers14174155. PMID: 36077691; PMCID: PMC9454740. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Polina Miklush, Tel +1 862.431.8817Email:
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Terrible News for Pfizer Stock Investors
While it no longer generates the sales it once did, Pfizer's coronavirus lineup remains critical to its results. However, recent regulatory changes in the U.S. should make this franchise somewhat less lucrative. Even so, Pfizer's hopes of a comeback lie elsewhere, especially in its improving oncology unit. 10 stocks we like better than Pfizer › The past three years have been challenging for Pfizer (NYSE: PFE). Revenue and earnings have moved in the wrong direction, as has the company's share price. The stock is down by 56% since 2022. Although Pfizer has made some efforts to turn things around, they have been insufficient. And recent regulatory developments in the U.S. somewhat complicate things for the drugmaker. Here's what investors need to know. Pfizer's poor performance since 2022 is largely due to its coronavirus portfolio. After producing record revenue thanks to its work in this area, once the pandemic started receding, sales from Comirnaty, its COVID-19 vaccine, and Paxlovid, its therapy for the disease, started dropping off a cliff. However, Pfizer's coronavirus franchise has remained critical to its overall financial results. In 2024, the company's combined revenue from Paxlovid and Comirnaty was $11.1 billion. Pfizer's total top line came in at $63.6 billion, increasing 7% compared to the year-ago period. When excluding contributions from its coronavirus products, Pfizer's revenue grew more quickly -- by 12% year over year. The company's sales were down compared to 2023 but still accounted for about 17.5% of its top line. That's a meaningful amount. Pfizer would be in a lot more trouble without Paxlovid and Comirnaty. Here's the problem: Recent regulatory changes in the U.S. will make it more challenging for Pfizer to consistently generate solid revenue from Comirnaty. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided that instead of recommending COVID-19 vaccines for healthy adults and children above a certain age, it will do so only for seniors aged 65 and older and those with certain medical conditions that put them at risk of severe disease outcomes. The agency is requiring additional clinical trials before it can recommend annual booster shots for healthy adults. Healthy children and pregnant women are also no longer on the list of those who should take the vaccine. These changes will take effect in the fall, peak vaccination season for COVID-19. In other words, the U.S. coronavirus vaccine market just became smaller. What does this mean for investors? Pfizer's coronavirus franchise might weaken somewhat as a result of these changes, but perhaps not significantly. The FDA's guidance is largely irrelevant to Paxlovid. We could even speculate that lower vaccination rates may actually lead to higher infection rates and more prescriptions for the medicine. Although Comirnaty's U.S. sales will be affected, the company reported just $2.004 billion in revenue from the U.S. coronavirus vaccine market last year, which accounts for about 37% of the total revenue Comirnaty generated. The U.S. market is the single most important for Pfizer. Overall, these new developments won't have a significant impact on its financial results. Even so, Pfizer continues to encounter headwinds, and this is yet another one. It might not be a big deal in a vacuum, but given Pfizer's trajectory since 2022, it's not exactly what investors want to see. Truth be told: Pfizer needs every single dollar it can collect in sales. Even slightly lower revenue than it expects from any medicine or vaccine is terrible news for a company whose midpoint revenue guidance of $62.5 billion for the year implies a slight decrease compared to 2024. In light of all this, it's fair for investors to look at the company's performance over the past few years and wonder whether it can bounce back. If it does, it will unlikely be because of its work in the coronavirus vaccine market. Pfizer has made significant strides in recent years to strengthen its pipeline. One of its latest moves was to expand its already robust portfolio of oncology candidates with the licensing of a promising cancer medicine, called SSGJ-707, originally developed by China-based 3S Bio. Pfizer dished out an upfront payment of $1.25 billion for this mid-stage asset, with potential milestone payments of up to $4.8 billion on top of royalties. Pfizer's comeback story will almost certainly include at least one, if not several, significant regulatory wins in oncology. Given its massive pipeline in the field and vast experience in developing drugs in this area, the drugmaker should be well-positioned to achieve this goal. Pfizer is working on numerous therapies in other fields as well and is enhancing its business in various ways. The healthcare company has decreased expenses and costs and plans to continue doing so until 2027. In my view, thanks to its equally massive success in the coronavirus market earlier this decade, we have yet to see the results of the massive investments Pfizer made in its pipeline, It's not time to give up on the stock just yet, even with the recent regulatory changes in the U.S. Pfizer could still generate excellent returns for patient investors. Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Pfizer wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $651,049!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $828,224!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 979% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 171% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Prosper Junior Bakiny has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Terrible News for Pfizer Stock Investors was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
