Latest news with #CFIA
Globe and Mail
3 hours ago
- General
- Globe and Mail
B.C. ostrich farm operators say birds pose no threat, call for independent testing
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.' Katie Pasitney, whose mother co-owns Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., 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. Canada wants to kill 400 ostriches. Sadly, it's the right thing to do 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.
CTV News
6 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
B.C. ostrich farm calls for independent testing to prevent ‘unnecessary destruction'
A sign calling for the protection of ostriches at the Universal Ostrich Farms is displayed at the farm in Edgewood, B.C., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Hemens 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.' Katie Pasitney, whose parents own Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., 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. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
7 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.
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Family that operates B.C. ostrich farm pushes back against CFIA claims
Supporters of Universal Ostrich Farms stand near ostriches at the farm's property 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 400 ostriches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Hemens The family that operates an ostrich farm in British Columbia's interior is pushing back on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which is poised to cull around 400 birds at the farm due to avian flu. Katie Pasitney, whose parents own Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, B.C., said during Facebook Live stream event Saturday night that the ordered cull is based on misinformation. The agency said on Friday the avian flu infection present at the farm is a mutation not seen anywhere else in Canada. Pasitney said during the livestream the CFIA is exaggerating the human health risks, noting it is not based in sound science. She also said that contrary to what the agency claims, there has not been widespread testing at the farm. While the CFIA has fined the farm $20,000, Pasitney said more information will be coming on Monday about what is happening at the farm and what has been shared with the federal agency. This report by David Boles, The Canadian Press, was first published June 1, 2025.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Family that operates B.C. ostrich farm pushes back against CFIA claims
The family that operates an ostrich farm in British Columbia's interior is pushing back on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency., which is poised to cull around 400 birds at the farm due to avian flu. Katie Pasitney, whose parents own Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, B.C., said during Facebook Live stream event Saturday night that the ordered cull is based on misinformation. The agency said on Friday the avian flu infection present at the farm is a mutation not seen anywhere else in Canada. Pasitney said during the livestream the CFIA is exaggerating the human health risks, noting it is not based in sound science. She also said that contrary to what the agency claims, there has not been widespread testing at the farm. While the CFIA has fined the farm $20,000, Pasitney said more information will be coming on Monday about what is happening at the farm and what has been shared with the federal agency. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025. David Boles, The Canadian Press
