Kathrine Frich
In a quiet corner of British Columbia, a tense standoff between farmers and federal authorities has ended in heartbreak and disbelief.
What happened on one small property has left locals divided, and many asking how it came to this.
Months of tension
On November 7, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed it had taken action on a farm in Edgewood, British Columbia, the previous day.
Officials said the decision stemmed from an order issued ten months earlier during an outbreak of avian influenza.
In a statement, the CFIA said the property remains quarantined under the Health of Animals Act.
Access is restricted to those with formal permission, as parts of the farm fall under strict biocontainment rules.
“After consulting with experts experienced in managing ostrich disease outbreaks, the CFIA concluded that the most appropriate and humane option was to use professional marksmen in a controlled on-farm setting,” the agency said.
“All depopulation activities were completed under CFIA veterinary supervision.”
The CFIA estimated that between 300 and 330 birds were involved.
Farmers push back
The farm’s owners, however, have called the decision unnecessary.
They have challenged the order in court, arguing the surviving birds showed no signs of illness.
According to a report by ABC News, the owners said the flock had developed “herd immunity” and could have been useful for scientific research.
Under federal guidelines, affected farmers are entitled to compensation of up to CA$3,000 (US$2,136) per ostrich, according to the CFIA.
Despite the financial provisions, the owners said the loss went far beyond money. Their representatives have taken to social media to express deep frustration and sorrow.
Grief and defiance
Farm spokesperson Katie Pasitney has been posting regular updates online, urging supporters to keep the family in their thoughts.
After confirming the event had taken place, she appealed for “written prayers,” saying, “Prayers are powerful. I believe in the power of written prayer and intention… that energy is what the world needs right now.”
In later posts, she accused the CFIA of showing “a lack of empathy” and described the experience as “unthinkable.”
She added: “My heart is broken but I will make it my mission to help create a better way. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency needs to be redone… an agency that will protect, preserve, heal and treat — not just kill.”
Growing criticism
The situation has sparked broader debate about how Canada handles disease outbreaks among livestock and exotic species.
While the CFIA maintains that such actions are guided by science and national biosecurity law, critics argue that the process lacks compassion and transparency.
Community members and animal welfare advocates have called for a review of federal protocols, urging a balance between public safety and humane treatment.
Sources: UNILAD, ABC News, Global News
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation
