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Canada’s food safety authority stated it aims to initiate a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a farm after the highest judicial body declined to halt the controversial eradication.

Legal Impediments Removed by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday removed all legal impediment to starting the culling.

The ostrich farm, located close to the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, amid concerns of an spread of H5N1 avian flu.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

Nearly seventy birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it considered whether to hear the case.

Political and Societal Responses

The growing row over the ostriches – and a lingering distrust of government – have motivated protesters to gather at the property, with many broadcasting 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 repeatedly by journalists whether he backed protesters.

The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the matter, even though many within his political group voicing opposition against the cull.

He told reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

International Interest and Offers

A number of high-profile figures from the United States have lobbied Canadian officials.

The American health chief offered to move 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 national authorities said the relevant agency was adhering to a eradication approach in order to limit the transmission of avian flu, a move consistent with wider advice from global health organizations.

However, animal rights organizations have urged the agency to perform further testing on the animals to verify they are carrying the virus.

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

They have also cast doubt on the extent and reliability of the tests on the birds.

Ranch Spokesperson Reaction

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the media that the agency was killing healthy birds.

“They are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they won’t survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

A co-owner expressed he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left”.

Judicial and Authority Decisions

A national court, however, found that permitting the birds to remain alive could result in the spread of bird flu to different species, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The authority has not said at what time it plans to start culling the ostriches.

Culling Methods

An older agency manual, obtained under public access laws, says the birds can be euthanized by different means, the recommended being injection, which needs three people: one to hold the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Personnel can also use gas or break the birds’ necks.

Members of the agency can only use firearms on the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Latest Updates

As per reports, shortly after the court ruling, agency workers began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.