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The nation’s food safety authority stated it plans to initiate a total removal of numerous ostriches at a farm after the highest judicial body refused to stop the contentious eradication.

Legal Impediments Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday removed all legal barrier to beginning the slaughter.

The ostrich farm, located close to the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in the month of May to eradicate almost four hundred birds, amid concerns of an outbreak of bird flu.

Just days ago, officials seized control of the operation.

Nearly seventy birds have already died after the emergence of a influenza-like sickness.

On Wednesday, Canada’s supreme court granted an interim stay on the cull order as it considered whether to hear the case.

Governmental and Public Reactions

The increasing controversy over the birds – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired demonstrators to descend on the farm, with many expressing their frustration on social media.

The case has also penetrated the nation’s political sphere.

In early October, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked twice by journalists whether he backed protesters.

The Conservative figure has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his political group protesting against the slaughter.

He told the press the situation had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.

International Interest and Proposals

Several high-profile figures from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

The US health secretary offered to relocate the birds to his ranch in Florida.

An American wealthy businessman has also appealed with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order.

Health and Ethical Debates

The Canadian federal government stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a eradication policy in order to limit the transmission of bird flu, a move in line with broader advice from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the agency to perform additional tests on the animals to verify they are infected.

The farm owners claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on January 15th, with the surviving majority seeming in good condition or healed, the flock has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and effectiveness of testing on the birds.

Farm Spokesperson Response

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, told the media that the agency was killing birds in good health.

“They are ancient creatures that have endured millions of years, but they will not survive the government agency,” she said.

A co-owner said he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left”.

Judicial and Agency Findings

A national court, however, found that allowing the birds to remain alive could lead to the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the livestock sector – or to people.

The authority has not announced when it expects to start culling the ostriches.

Eradication Methods

An older guideline document, acquired under freedom of information laws, states ostriches can be euthanized by different means, the preferred being lethal injection, which requires three people: one to hold the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

Staff can also use gas chambers or break the birds’ necks.

Members of the organization can only shoot the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Recent Updates

As per media sources, soon after the court ruling, agency workers began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the back of the bird enclosure.