British ColumbiaThe Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it has completed its “active operations” at the British Columbia ostrich farm where its flock was culled by professional marksmen following an outbreak of avian flu. A statement from the agency says the carcasses of 314 ostriches as well as eggs and other material were disposed of through “deep burial” at a B.C. landfill.CFIA says the site remains under quarantine, with access restricted to areas under biocontainment measuresBrenna Owen · The Canadian Press · Posted: Nov 13, 2025 9:06 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Tarpaulins cover objects on the ground inside a holding pen at Universal Ostrich Farms near Edgewood, B.C., Nov. 7. The pen had been filled with live ostriches a day earlier, before shooting broke out overnight, as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency began a cull of the flock — a task the agency says has now been completed. (Brenna Owen/The Canadian Press)The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it has completed its “active operations” at the British Columbia ostrich farm where its flock was culled by professional marksmen following an outbreak of avian flu. A statement from the agency says the carcasses of 314 ostriches as well as eggs and other material were disposed of through “deep burial” at a B.C. landfill.It says the site at Universal Ostrich Farms near Edgewood, B.C., remains under quarantine and permission is required to enter areas that are subject to biocontainment measures.The agency says every premises infected with highly pathogenic avian flu must follow a standardized path to resuming operations, including cleaning and disinfection approved by the CFIA, before quarantine restrictions are lifted.WATCH | CFIA culled the ostrich population on the farm in Edgewood, B.C. on Nov. 7:Cull of ostriches at B.C. farm is complete, CFIA confirms The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Friday that it has culled the ostrich population on a farm in Edgewood, B.C. The cull was ordered after avian flu was detected in the flock last December and killed 70 of the birds. It adds that the farm has been provided documentation about the requirements and notes there may be a “fallow period” with CFIA oversight after the cleaning process.Representatives of the farm — who fought the cull order for more than 10 months before the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear an appeal — did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Katie Pasitney, whose mother co-owns the farm, told The Canadian Press the morning after the cull that shooting the ostriches was “inhumane” and the gunfire that went on for hours last Thursday night was “overwhelming.”Farm spokesperson Katie Pasitney outside the Universal Ostrich farm in Edgewood earlier this month. (Benoît Ferradini/Radio-Canada)The CFIA has said it determined the use of professional marksmen was the “most appropriate and humane option” to kill the flock after consulting with experts experienced in managing disease outbreaks among ostriches.In its statement issued Thursday, the agency notes personal protective equipment is not required outside designated zones related to the quarantine.It says anyone who entered designated “hot” zones during the operation wore personal protective equipment “or were thoroughly disinfected upon exit.””All equipment was also disinfected when leaving designated zones,” it says.Workers in white protective suits could be seen inside the ostrich enclosure during last week’s cull and disposal operation.Pasitney, whose mother co-owns the farm, has previously questioned why RCMP officers and others just outside the pen did not appear to be wearing protective gear.Read more about the background of this case: How the fate of a herd of ostriches on a small B.C. farm caught the attention of the Trump administrationThe latest CFIA statement also says any formal request for compensation over the loss of the flock would be reviewed in accordance with the Health of Animals Act and other regulations.It says the regulations set the parameters for any potential compensation. “The objective of the [regulation] is to encourage the early reporting of animal disease, and the co-operation of owners in eradication efforts,” the agency adds.WATCH | Ostriches culled after months-long saga:Hundreds of ostriches culled at B.C. farm after months of dramaMarksmen killed around 300 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., as part of a controversial cull. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency ordered the cull late last year after detecting cases of avian flu in the flock. As Brady Strachan reports, the months-long saga sparked a debate around perceived government overreach.
‘Deep burial’ for ostriches at B.C. landfill as CFIA completes cull and disposal work
