
Danielle Smith backs ‘better way’ than cull at B.C. ostrich farm hit by avian flu
HUNTSVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith thinks authorities should be looking for a “better way” than a mass cull to deal with a British Columbia ostrich farm that suffered an outbreak of avian flu.
Smith says there should be a new approach because most of the flock at Universal Ostrich Farms survived the outbreak, and there could be something to learn about “whether there’s an immunity or some kind of vaccine” that could be developed.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has ordered the destruction of about 400 birds at the farm in Edgewood, B.C., where 69 ostriches died in December and January.
The farm’s owners say the birds should be spared, in part because of their scientific value, taking their case to the Federal Court of Appeal which reserved judgment last week.