Latest news with #culling
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
B.C. ostriches won't 'necessarily' be killed, says Canada's agriculture minister
Canada's minister of agriculture says a group of B.C. ostriches will "not necessarily" be killed, despite an order from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that they be culled due to concerns about the avian flu. On Wednesday, reporters in Ottawa asked Heath MacDonald, the minister of agriculture and agri-food, about the fate of the ostriches, after high-ranking U.S. officials, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., publicly called for the herd to be spared. "We're in a process," MacDonald said. "We're taking all facts into consideration. And we'll move forward on the best possible solution for everybody involved." Asked directly if the birds would be killed, he said, "The process is in place. And not necessarily." WATCH | Dr. Oz, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. wade into B.C. ostrich debate: Dr. Oz, U.S. billionaire offer to take B.C. ostriches ordered killed 16 hours ago Duration 2:42 The fate of the birds on Universal Ostrich farm, in Edgewood, B.C., has attracted international attention since December 2024, when they were told by the CFIA that their entire herd of roughly 400 ostriches would have to be killed after two dead ostriches tested positive for avian flu. The order follows the CFIA's blanket policy of "stamping out" all domestic flocks where the disease is detected, in an effort to stem its spread and possible mutation. The disease has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of birds in Canada and the United States and can also infect mammals, and in rare cases, humans. Its spread was a primary driver of skyrocketing egg prices in the United States earlier this year as commercial flocks were infected. But Universal Ostrich farm has tried to appeal the order, arguing that while 69 birds died during the initial infection, the last death occurred in January, and since then, it says the remaining birds have shown no symptoms of the disease. They also say they don't sell their birds for food but have pivoted instead to using them for scientific research. However, the CFIA points out that the ostriches continue to be in open pens where they are exposed to wild birds and animals, which would allow avian flu to be reintroduced or, if the ostriches are still carrying the disease without showing symptoms, for it to be passed back into wild animal populations. They also said the farm did not present evidence that the ostriches were genetically unique enough to warrant an exemption on scientific grounds. And they say they have a responsibility to follow international guidelines on how to handle infections in order to preserve Canada's agricultural industry and public health. MacDonald said while he sympathizes with the farmers, it's also important to take a look at the broader context of combating avian flu. "I certainly, you know, obviously feel sorry for the farmers... but we also have the economic side to this," he said. "We have to protect other industries and sectors, as well." The farm is entitled to up to $3,000 per ostrich killed. In the meantime, Universal Ostrich has filed for an appeal, which still has to be accepted, of an earlier court ruling allowing the cull to move forward. And a group of dedicated supporters have set themselves up on the farm, publishing daily live streams and lobbying for help. It was through this network that the ostriches came to the attention of U.S. billionaire John Catsimatidis, who told CBC News he had learned about the kill order through a website called Broken Truth, which describes itself as a network aimed at "exposing fraud and corruption, particularly in medicine and beyond," and says it has its roots in pushing against public health policies stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Catsimatidis then used his platform, which includes a radio show on a New York-based station he owns, to bring the topic up to other leaders, including Kennedy. During an April episode of his program with the health secretary, Catsimatidis claimed the ostriches were being killed because of corruption and pharmaceutical companies, with Kennedy responding that it was a "huge mistake." Kennedy then followed up with a letter posted last week to X, stating that he had met with the president of the CFIA and was requesting that Canada consider not culling the herd but rather work with the United States to research them. Additionally, former TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz, who is now the administrator for the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has offered to take the ostriches in at his ranch. MacDonald said he has not yet had a conversation with his U.S. counterparts about the topic, but it would be better to have a conversation rather than communicating online via social media. "If we follow Twitter or that sort of thing with any major decisions that we're making here in Canada, I'm not sure that's the appropriate course of action," he said.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Woman fighting for life after bear attack just miles from European capital
A woman is currently in a critical condition in hospital following a bear attack on Tuesday in a wooded area. The incident occurred at the edge of a forest in Skofljica, roughly six miles southeast of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. After the attack, the bear retreated into the nearby forest. Local authorities have urged residents to exercise caution and avoid the area. This attack occurred days after the government authorised the culling of 206 brown bears, whose population has grown to approximately 1,000. The new cull by the government will occur in the southern regions of Slovenia and can be carried out until July 1, 2026. This is in response to the increasing number of attacks on livestock, which generates high costs for protection and compensation. Slovenia, an Alpine country with a population of just over two million, has extensive forests and numerous protected natural areas. Despite opposition from animal rights organisations, authorities occasionally approve culls of bears and wolves. According to the country's official STA news agency, there were two bear attacks on people recorded in 2022. In April 2023, a bear attacked and bit a man walking his dog in Želimlje, a village approximately 12 miles from Ljubljana.
Free Malaysia Today
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Tackling stray dog menace govt's responsibility, NGO tells Negeri Sembilan MB
Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun defended the state's plan to cull stray dogs, saying critics should adopt the dogs instead of protesting. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A lawyer-activist has criticised Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun for suggesting that NGOs and the public adopt stray dogs captured under the state's proposed culling programme. Rajesh Nagarajan of Lawyers for Animal Rights said the state government has the resources to address stray dog overpopulation and should not expect taxpayers to shoulder the burden. 'If there is a stray dog problem, then it is up to the state government to ensure that the issue is addressed,' he told FMT. 'If there's a hole on the road, do we ask the public to repair it themselves? Then what are they paying taxes for? The menteri besar should apologise for such a nonsensical statement.' Rajesh said Aminuddin should be thanking NGOs instead for stepping up despite not being legally obligated to do so, noting that many already rescue and rehome dogs with limited resources. While he agreed with Aminuddin's comparison to countries with no stray problem, he said those countries implement humane and systematic trap-neuter-release (TNR) programmes and not mass killings. On April 30, the Negeri Sembilan state assembly unanimously agreed that some stray dogs in predominantly Malay-Muslim residential areas should be culled to address safety concerns. Aminuuddin reportedly criticised NGOs and activists who staged a protest against the state government last week. According to Sinar Harian, he said they will go ahead with the culling operations, and told critics to stop protesting and instead adopt and care for the dogs themselves. Aminuddin also claimed that NGOs had been given land to run shelters, and that some released strays back into public areas But Global Human Rights Federation president S Shashi Kumar questioned this claim, asking for proof of land allocations and how they compare to the number of rescues. He also pointed out that most households are limited to two dogs, while some cannot keep any. 'Is the MB planning to amend those rules?' Shashi said local councils often charge between RM300 to RM1,000 to adopt a captured dog, calling it 'extortion'. Malaysian Animal Welfare Association (MAWA) founder S Mukunnan said the culling plan was hastily introduced and lacked consultation. 'You called the NGOs to adopt the stray dogs, why were the NGOs not called to discuss an alternative arrangement before you announced it (plan to cull stray dogs)? 'Where are the statistics for these complaints? Where is the proper research? Everything was done in a very rushed manner, maybe they just wanted to please the people because the election is coming in two years,' he said. Mukunnan said animal groups had submitted detailed proposals, including shared budget plans, to the housing and local government ministry. 'Implement trap-neuter-release and manage programmes, allocate sufficient funds, and involve more NGOs. Otherwise, they are going to do this killing forever, and the problem won't be solved,' he said.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- CTV News
Judge says cull of 400 ostriches at B.C. farm can proceed
A Federal Court judge has denied a bid to prevent the Canadian Food Inspection Agency from culling 400 ostriches on a British Columbia farm.
Malay Mail
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
N. Sembilan defends stray dog culling plan amid backlash, says SOPs and animal laws will be followed
KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — The proposed culling of stray dogs in Negeri Sembilan will be carried out in accordance with legal procedures and standard operating procedures (SOP), said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. He said the move would not be conducted arbitrarily or recklessly, and would be left to the appropriate authorities to manage, according to a report published in Berita Harian today. 'Don't misunderstand. What we mean is that it will follow SOPs and procedures, not a random culling or indiscriminate shooting of dogs. There are animal-related laws that must be respected, and this matter will be handled by the relevant authorities. 'Each local authority (PBT) has its own method of managing stray dogs to resolve the nuisance caused by uncontrolled populations,' he told reporters after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting at Wisma Negeri yesterday. At the State Legislative Assembly sitting last Wednesday, all assemblymen including those from the opposition unanimously agreed that stray dog control measures should be implemented in areas with a predominantly Malay population to address safety and nuisance concerns. However, the proposal has drawn criticism from some quarters, especially non-governmental organisations (NGOs), who deemed the decision insensitive and inconsistent with humanitarian principles. Aminuddin explained that the proposal came in response to rising complaints and safety fears among residents, including cases of people being injured by stray dogs. He added that the state government had also received reports of stray dogs freely entering Muslim houses of worship and creating disturbances in Malay residential areas. 'Just today in Port Dickson, based on information from my officer, a teenager was bitten by a stray dog. 'Those who own dogs shouldn't shirk responsibility by abandoning them and expecting others to deal with it. 'That's unfair and affects the community. When someone gets bitten, who will take responsibility?' he said. Separately, Aminuddin commented on the underutilised MyKioks provided by the Local Government and Housing Ministry (KPKT), urging local councils to find alternatives by creating new hawker zones. He said the facilities should not be left idle or go to waste. A total of 414 MyKioks were made available across Negeri Sembilan in 2023 and 2024, but only 250 are currently occupied despite being placed in strategic locations near street vendor hotspots.
