Latest news with #CanadianFoodInspectionAgency
The Province
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Province
B.C. ostrich farm calls for independent testing to prevent 'unnecessary destruction'
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz has offered to relocate the birds to Florida. Published Jun 02, 2025 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 1 minute read An ostrich is seen at the Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Hundreds of supporters flocked to the farm over the Victoria Day long weekend to protest the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's order to cull about 400 ostriches. Photo by Aaron Hemens / The Canadian Press The operators of a British Columbia ostrich flock that's facing a cull order after an avian flu outbreak are calling for independent testing of the birds to prevent their 'unnecessary destruction.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Katie Pasitney, whose mother co-owns Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood issued a statement on Monday, saying the nearly 400 ostriches are healthy and have shown no signs of illness for more than four months. The statement says the flock poses no threat and should be tested for ongoing avian flu infections, saying the ostriches have acquired herd immunity to the virus and are a valuable scientific resource. The statement is in response to a lengthy update from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Friday that said it had fined the farm $20,000 for failing to co-operate with anti-avian flu measures. The agency said says it issued two violation notices to the farm for failing to report illnesses and deaths among the flock last year, and failing to follow quarantine orders. It says the type of avian flu infection at the premise is a mutation not seen elsewhere in Canada and includes a genotype that has been associated with a human infection in a poultry worker in Ohio. The CFIA statement represents a rebuff for proposals of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who wrote to the CFIA's president last week and called for the birds to be saved for joint research. Read More Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Canucks News Local News
Vancouver Sun
19 hours ago
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. ostrich farm facing cull ponders moving birds to U.S. as 'last resort'
The family that operates the B.C. ostrich farm facing a federal cull says it may look into the process of moving the birds to the United States as a 'last resort.' Katie Pasitney, whose parents own Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood says the family is also urging the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to consider the proposals by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to save the ostriches for research rather than culling them. Pasitney, who was speaking in a video on Facebook Live, says her family is aware that U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz has offered to relocate the birds to Florida. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. She says the family is open to starting the process of testing the birds to see if relocation is possible 'as a last resort.' The CFIA website says exporting livestock animals requires certification from the agency 'to ensure that only healthy animals and animal products and byproducts meeting the import health requirements of an importing country are exported from Canada.' The ostrich farm suffered an avian flu outbreak earlier, and the CFIA said in its statement Friday that culling the surviving animals is necessary because the mutation of the virus seen at the farm is one not seen elsewhere in Canada.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Health crisis: Mutated bird flu never seen before in Canada sparks mass ostrich cull order at BC farm; Owners refuse as US Health Officials beg to save the birds
Federal concerns over biosecurity Live Events Family defies cull, cites immunity International Figures Urge Delay Legal Appeal and Protests Continue The broader concern (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A British Columbia ostrich farm is under federal pressure to cull hundreds of ostrich birds after a rare and concerning strain of avian influenza was found, one not seen elsewhere in Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced Friday(May 30) that Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood has been fined $20,000 for failing to cooperate with containment measures, including ignoring quarantine orders and not reporting bird deaths during an earlier CFIA confirmed that the virus on the farm is a mutation of H5N1 that includes a genotype linked to a human case in an Ohio poultry worker. It warned that the situation poses a serious risk to both animal and public agency said the farm failed to implement standard biosecurity controls, such as keeping wild birds out, containing water flow between quarantine zones, and securing fencing, actions the CFIA says 'significantly increase the risk of disease transmission.'The farm lost 69 ostriches between December and January due to the outbreak, and around 400 birds owners say the surviving birds have shown signs of herd immunity and could be valuable for scientific the CFIA said, 'CFIA has not received any evidence of scientific research being done at the infected premises.' It added that the farm's facilities are not suitable for controlled studies and that no research documentation was provided during the owners' request for exemption or court Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote to the CFIA's president last week, calling for the birds to be spared for joint research. Dr. Mehmet Oz, now administrator of the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also supported preserving the flock and offered to relocate the birds to his Florida the CFIA rejected these proposals.A Federal Court judge ruled on May 13 that the cull could proceed. The farm has appealed the decision, but has not been granted a stay. Protesters have been at the site for weeks, with more arriving Friday in a convoy, according to social media CFIA confirmed plans for 'humane depopulation with veterinary oversight' are moving forward. It said ongoing delays are 'resulting in ongoing health risks to animals and humans.'The discovery of this mutated strain comes as global health authorities monitor a troubling rise in avian influenza recent years, the H5N1 virus has been detected in mammals, including sea lions, bears, and even house pets, raising fears of potential transmission to human cases remain rare, experts warn that mutations like the one found in Edgewood could signal evolving risks to public health.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Health crisis: Mutated bird flu never seen before in Canada sparks mass ostrich cull order at BC farm; Owners refuse as US Health Officials beg to save the birds
Federal concerns over biosecurity Live Events Family defies cull, cites immunity International Figures Urge Delay Legal Appeal and Protests Continue The broader concern (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A British Columbia ostrich farm is under federal pressure to cull hundreds of ostrich birds after a rare and concerning strain of avian influenza was found, one not seen elsewhere in Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced Friday(May 30) that Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood has been fined $20,000 for failing to cooperate with containment measures, including ignoring quarantine orders and not reporting bird deaths during an earlier CFIA confirmed that the virus on the farm is a mutation of H5N1 that includes a genotype linked to a human case in an Ohio poultry worker. It warned that the situation poses a serious risk to both animal and public agency said the farm failed to implement standard biosecurity controls, such as keeping wild birds out, containing water flow between quarantine zones, and securing fencing, actions the CFIA says 'significantly increase the risk of disease transmission.'The farm lost 69 ostriches between December and January due to the outbreak, and around 400 birds owners say the surviving birds have shown signs of herd immunity and could be valuable for scientific the CFIA said, 'CFIA has not received any evidence of scientific research being done at the infected premises.' It added that the farm's facilities are not suitable for controlled studies and that no research documentation was provided during the owners' request for exemption or court Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote to the CFIA's president last week, calling for the birds to be spared for joint research. Dr. Mehmet Oz, now administrator of the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also supported preserving the flock and offered to relocate the birds to his Florida the CFIA rejected these proposals.A Federal Court judge ruled on May 13 that the cull could proceed. The farm has appealed the decision, but has not been granted a stay. Protesters have been at the site for weeks, with more arriving Friday in a convoy, according to social media CFIA confirmed plans for 'humane depopulation with veterinary oversight' are moving forward. It said ongoing delays are 'resulting in ongoing health risks to animals and humans.'The discovery of this mutated strain comes as global health authorities monitor a troubling rise in avian influenza recent years, the H5N1 virus has been detected in mammals, including sea lions, bears, and even house pets, raising fears of potential transmission to human cases remain rare, experts warn that mutations like the one found in Edgewood could signal evolving risks to public health.
Canada Standard
3 days ago
- Health
- Canada Standard
Update on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's actions at an HPAI infected premise at a British Columbia ostrich farm
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada's national poultry sectors have been responding to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Canada since December 2021. Industry has been highly supportive of the CFIA in its response to HPAI, working collaboratively to implement control measures and protect animal health. The CFIA has acted to minimize the risk of the virus spreading within Canadian flocks and to other animals. All avian influenza viruses, particularly H5 and H7 viruses, have the potential to infect mammals, including humans. Our disease response aims to protect public and animal health, minimize impacts on the domestic poultry industry, and the Canadian economy. The CFIA's response to highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic poultry is based on an approach known as "stamping-out", as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Stamping-out is the internationally recognized standard and is a primary tool to manage the spread of HPAI and mitigate risks to animal and human health as well as enable international trade. It includes steps to eliminate the virus from an infected premises, including the humane depopulation and disposal of infected animals, and disinfection of premises. There are ongoing risks to animal and human health and Canada's export market access Allowing a domestic poultry flock known to be exposed to HPAI to remain alive means a potential source of the virus persists. It increases the risk of reassortment or mutation of the virus, particularly with birds raised in open pasture where there is ongoing exposure to wildlife. CFIA's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) identified that the current HPAI infection in these ostriches is a novel reassortment not seen elsewhere in Canada. This assortment includes the D1.3 genotype, which has been associated with a human infection in a poultry worker in Ohio. A human case of H5N1 in BC earlier this year required critical care, and an extended hospital stay for the patient, and there have been a number of human cases in the United States, including a fatality. Stamping-out and primary control zones enable international trade as it allows Canada to contain outbreaks within a specific area, meet the requirements of zoning arrangements with trading partners, and permit Canada's poultry industry to export from disease-free regions. Continued export market access supports Canadian families and poultry farmers whose livelihoods depend on maintaining international market access for $1.75 billion in exports. Current status of the infected premise at Universal Ostrich Farm Universal Ostrich Farm has not cooperated with the requirements set out under the Health of Animals Act including failure to report the initial cases of illness and deaths to the CFIA and failure to adhere to quarantine orders. Universal Ostrich Farm was issued two notices of violations with penalty, totaling $20,000. The farm also failed to undertake appropriate biosecurity risk mitigation measures such as limiting wild bird access to the ostriches, controlling water flow from the quarantine zone to other parts of the farm, or improving fencing. These actions significantly increase the risk of disease transmission and reflect a disregard for regulatory compliance and animal health standards. Universal Ostrich Farm has not substantiated their claims of scientific research. CFIA has not received any evidence of scientific research being done at the infected premises. Research documentation was not provided during the review of their request for exemption from the disposal order based on unique genetics or during the judicial review process. Further, the current physical facilities at their location are not suitable for controlled research activities or trials. On May 13, 2025, the Federal court dismissed both of Universal Ostrich Farm's applications for judicial review. The interlocutory injunction pausing the implementation of the disposal order was also vacated. Following the May 13 court ruling, the farm owners and supporters have been at the farm in an apparent attempt to prevent the CFIA from carrying out its operations at the infected premises. This has delayed a timely and appropriate response to the HPAI infected premises, resulting in ongoing health risks to animals and humans. CFIA's next steps at the infected premises Given that the flock has had multiple laboratory-confirmed cases of H5N1 and the ongoing serious risks for animal and human health, and trade, the CFIA continues planning for humane depopulation with veterinary oversight at the infected premises. The CFIA takes the responsibility to protect the health of animals and Canadians extremely seriously as we conduct these necessary disease control measures to protect public health and minimize the economic impact on Canada's poultry industry. For more detailed information on the CFIA's continued response to HPAI at this infected premises, please visit our website.
