Authorized counsel for each the Canadian Meals Inspection Company (CFIA) and an ostrich farm within the West Kootenay area continued their arguments Wednesday, the second day of a judicial assessment involving the destiny of 400 ostriches.
Dozens of the birds died in December from an avian flu outbreak at Common Ostrich Farms close to Edgewood, prompting the CFIA to order a cull of your complete remaining flock.
The farm’s homeowners fought the order and obtained a reprieve earlier within the 12 months pending the end result of the assessment in federal court docket.
“The actual fact of the matter is our animals are alive, glad and wholesome, and so they’re thriving,” mentioned Katie Pasitney of Common Ostrich Farms. “To kill them proper now can be merciless.”
In line with farm operators, the birds have achieved herd immunity with no signal of sickness since Jan. 15.
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Additionally they argue that this group of ostriches is scientifically invaluable and a part of a world examine on antibody manufacturing.
“A really distinctive herd of ostriches that, , have been used for analysis for quite a lot of years now, and they’re studying rather a lot from their antibodies and immune programs,” mentioned Kelowna-based lawyer Lee Turner, who’s representing the ostrich farm.
It’s analysis, Pasitney mentioned, may assist in the combat towards the H5N1 avian flu pandemic, which has worn out whole rooster farms.
“With our antibodies, we’re providing, providing an answer to different industries by serving to them inside their industrial poultry facility, saving tens of millions of animals,” Pasitney mentioned. “I don’t perceive why organizations are usually not taking this into consideration and taking it critically.”
Attorneys representing CFIA argued the ‘stamping out’ order is a world commonplace for the general public’s security, including depopulation is the simplest technique of stopping the unfold of the illness.
Additionally they argued that the coverage protects Canada’s poultry exports and financial system.
Nonetheless, farm homeowners imagine saving the ostriches is within the public’s finest curiosity.
“They need to are available in with alternative ways of serving to our farms defend their survivors,” Paistney mentioned. “You don’t kill the survivors. We defend the survivors. They’re what’s going to take us by means of giving us immunity with the following virus.”
The case has garnered worldwide consideration.
It’s not recognized when a call on the destiny of the birds will come down.
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