Supreme Court grants stay on cull of B.C. ostriches – The Globe and Mail
Karen Espersen, the co-owner of the Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., celebrates with her family.AARON HEMENS/The Canadian Press
The Supreme Court of Canada has put a temporary stop to plans by the federal food safety agency to cull 400 ostriches once infected with avian flu while the high court decides on whether to hear an appeal to save the fowl.
On Wednesday, Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin ordered the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to maintain custody of the ostriches on the farm in Edgewood, B.C., and she granted a stay of proceedings in the cull ordered last December.
The owners of the farm, one of whom was arrested yesterday when she and her daughter refused to leave one of the bird pens, have also filed for leave to appeal the cull order, according to Supreme Court registry staff.
Now, the federal agency must respond by Oct. 3. Then the farmers will have a further two days to complete their response to the government’s arguments, Justice O’Bonsawin wrote.
B.C. ostrich farmers make urgent appeal to Supreme Court to stop cull of flock
U.S. right-wing commentator Chris Sanders offers to house B.C. ostriches facing cull order
The stay is the latest development in a long-running legal battle that seemed poised to be resolved this week with dozens of RCMP officers escorting CFIA staff onto the farm Monday morning ahead of the planned cull.
The farmers, meanwhile, have gathered support from Canadian and American politicians as well as right-wing groups angry at what they see as government overreach.
More to come.
Karen Espersen and her daughter, Katie Pasitney, speak with supporters at the farm.AARON HEMENS/The Canadian Press
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