Universal Ostrich Farms Fights to Save 400-Year-Old Flock from Cull

After an avian flu outbreak prompted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's order to cull the flock of nearly 400 ostriches, Universal Ostrich Farms has filed a petition with the federal minister of agriculture and agri-food to rescind the order. The farm, which has operated for 32 years, is seeking approval of a scientifically validated protocol to recover from avian influenza, citing the flock's remarkable natural immunity and the significant research potential it represents. The farm has been operating without revenue since December, maintaining bio-security protocols and cooperating with CFIA requirements, and is now requesting a decision from the ministry within 15 days to prevent the "irreversible" loss of the ostriches and the research opportunities they represent.

Key Takeaways:

• Universal Ostrich Farms has formally petitioned the federal minister of agriculture and agri-food to rescind a cull order for its flock of nearly 400 ostriches, citing the flock's remarkable natural immunity to avian flu.
• The farm has operated without revenue since December, maintaining bio-security protocols and cooperating fully with CFIA requirements, while the CFIA has allowed the cull to move forward in spite of this.
• The farm is requesting a decision from the ministry within 15 days to prevent the "irreversible" loss of the ostriches and the research opportunities they represent, which could contribute up to $3.5 million in research partnerships to study avian immunity and create future disease preparedness.
• The flock is currently composed of 385 birds, down from more than 400, all of which are healthy, according to the farm.
• The farm's spokesperson, Katie Pasitney, emphasized the extraordinary opportunity presented by the flock's immunity, stating that "destroying them now, after eight months of documented health, would eliminate a living laboratory that could help protect Canada's poultry industry in the future."
• The farm is seeking approval of a scientifically validated, risk-managed protocol for recovering from avian influenza, which would be overseen by independent experts and involve immediate confirmatory testing through both CFIA and third-party labs.

Statistics:

• The flock of ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms is currently composed of 385 birds, down from more than 400.
• The farm has invested $3.5 million in research partnerships to study avian immunity and create future disease preparedness.
• The CFIA has allowed the cull to move forward, despite the farm's efforts to maintain bio-security protocols and cooperate with CFIA requirements.

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