CFIA prepares for cull on B.C. ostrich farm after outbreak of avian influenza

By Canadian Press on September 24, 2025.

Officials with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are preparing for the cull of about 400 ostriches on a British Columbia farm following an outbreak of avian influenza first detected in the herd last December.

A wall of hay bales about three metres tall has been constructed at the farm near the tiny community of Edgewood in southeastern B.C., and several people wearing white protective suits could be seen from the nearby highway on Tuesday.

The installation of the hay bales followed the arrests of Karen Espersen, who is a co-owner of the farm, as well as her daughter, Katie Pasitney, after they refused an opportunity to voluntarily leave the ostriches’ pen earlier Tuesday.

The pair returned home later in the day, although Pasitney says they are not allowed to go back inside the ostrich pen, which has been under CFIA control since Monday.

Pasitney posted a video on her Facebook page later Tuesday saying it would be a “sleepless night” ahead of the ordered cull.

Officials have not confirmed when the cull will start.

The other owner of the farm, Dave Belinski, voluntarily left the ostriches’ enclosure earlier Tuesday, saying he had to remove his truck from inside the pen.

Pasitney told the media that she and her mother have yet to be charged, but a court date has been scheduled.

The B.C. chapter of the SPCA, meanwhile, issued a statement Tuesday saying the CFIA is the decision-making authority for disease control, including the case involving Universal Ostrich Farms. The SPCA does not have the power to intervene or influence decisions in cases involving the avian flu, the group says.

When an animal is suffering from an illness that cannot be treated or poses a serious public health concern, it says “euthanasia may be an appropriate action.”

“In these situations, the BC SPCA believes the methods used to euthanize any animal must be humane and ensure that fear, pain and anxiety are kept to minimal levels prior to and during killing,” the statement says.

The society “recognizes the negative impact of euthanasia … on the animals, farmers, and the community,” it adds.