Federal officials recently disclosed that the total expenses for a controversial cull at an ostrich farm in Edgewood, B.C., last year amounted to close to $7 million. The cull involved euthanizing about 300 ostriches at the Universal Ostrich farm due to the detection of highly pathogenic avian flu among the flock, despite protests from supporters and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Conservative MP Scott Anderson, representing the area where the farm is located, obtained information showing that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) spent over $3.8 million on policing the cull operation. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), responsible for ordering the cull and executing it with skilled marksmen, incurred nearly $1.6 million in expenses.
The CFIA’s costs included over $166,000 for disposing of the birds and more than $150,000 for cybersecurity and office security due to threats received by agency personnel. The majority of the RCMP’s expenses, exceeding $2 million, were attributed to personnel costs.
Anderson criticized the high costs associated with the operation, questioning the CFIA’s justification for its actions. He highlighted the disruption caused to the farmers and the town of Edgewood, emphasizing the significant financial impact. The CFIA defended its stamping-out policy, stating that it is crucial for preventing the spread of avian flu and safeguarding Canada’s food security.
Additionally, legal expenses related to the cull, as reported by the Justice Department, totaled around $1.38 million. Despite legal challenges by the farm to avoid the cull, Canadian courts upheld the CFIA’s decision, leading to the euthanization of the ostriches. The farm was also fined $10,000 for failing to promptly report avian flu symptoms within their flock.
The Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear the farm’s case, ultimately affirming the previous rulings on the cull’s procedural fairness. The completion of the cull was confirmed by the CFIA, concluding a chapter of controversy and financial scrutiny surrounding the ostrich farm operation in Edgewood, B.C.