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Canada’s food safety authority has announced it intends to initiate a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a farm after the country’s top court declined to block the controversial slaughter.

Judicial Impediments Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday removed any legal impediment to starting the culling.

The ostrich farm, located close to the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, amid concerns of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

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

Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an temporary halt on the cull order as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Societal Responses

The increasing controversy over the ostriches – and a lingering distrust of government – have motivated protesters to descend on the farm, with many broadcasting their anger on online platforms.

The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned repeatedly by reporters whether he supported protesters.

The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the matter, even though many within his party voicing opposition against the slaughter.

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

International Involvement and Offers

A number of prominent figures from the United States have lobbied Canadian officials.

The American health chief offered to move the birds to his property in Florida.

An US billionaire has also pleaded with the authorities to rescind its cull order.

Scientific and Moral Arguments

The Canadian federal government stated the relevant agency was adhering to a eradication approach in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a move in line with broader advice from global health organizations.

However, animal rights organizations have urged the authority to perform additional tests on the birds to confirm they are carrying the virus.

The ranch operators claimed that because the last bird flu death occurred on January 15th, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or recovered, the flock has developed at least some level of immunity against H5N1.

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

Ranch Spokesperson Response

On Thursday, the ranch representative, informed the press that the agency was killing healthy birds.

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

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

Court and Authority Decisions

A federal court, however, determined that permitting the birds to stay alive could result in the spread of avian influenza to other animals, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The agency has not announced when it plans to start slaughtering the birds.

Eradication Methods

A 2016 guideline document, acquired under freedom of information laws, states the birds can be killed by different means, the recommended being injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the bird by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug.

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

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

Latest Developments

As per media sources, soon after the court ruling, agency workers began setting up additional gear and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the back of the bird enclosure.