Supreme Court of Canada to Decide on Ostrich Farm Appeal
The Supreme Court of Canada will announce next Thursday whether it will hear an appeal from Universal Ostrich Farms in British Columbia. The farm is challenging an order from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) dated December 31, 2024, which mandates the culling of their ostrich flock due to an avian flu outbreak.
Implications of the Court's Decision
If the Supreme Court refuses to hear the case and lifts the current stay on the cull, the farm will have no legal means to prevent the killing of hundreds of ostriches. Conversely, if the appeal is accepted, a final ruling on the fate of the birds will follow a formal hearing.
Farm's Response
“My stomach sank a little bit,” said Katie Pasitney, spokesperson and daughter of one of the farm's owners, in a Facebook post.
“I walk in faith as my feet hit the ground each day. This story has already been written. The ending has been decided, we just need to believe.”
She called on supporters to pray for the farm during this difficult time.
Legal Experts' Opinions
Experts expect the Supreme Court is unlikely to hear the appeal because both the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal sided with the CFIA previously. Emmett Macfarlane, a political science professor at the University of Waterloo, remarked last month that the chance of the Supreme Court accepting the appeal is “very low.”
Summary: The Supreme Court’s upcoming decision will determine if Universal Ostrich Farms can legally challenge a cull order following an avian flu outbreak, with experts doubting the appeal will be heard.