A British Columbia ostrich farm is battling a provincial cull order, arguing that independent testing is crucial before any birds are destroyed. Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, home to nearly 400 ostriches, claims their flock is healthy and has shown no signs of avian flu for over four months.

Katie Pasitney, whose mother co-owns the farm, issued a statement on Monday asserting that the ostriches pose no public health threat. The statement suggests the birds may have developed herd immunity and represent a valuable asset for avian flu research. This directly counters a recent update from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The CFIA issued a lengthy statement on Friday, announcing a $20,000 fine against the farm for non-compliance with avian flu prevention measures. However, the farm argues that the fine and the cull order are premature, urging the CFIA to conduct independent testing to verify the health status of the ostriches before proceeding with any destruction. The farm emphasizes the potential scientific value of their potentially immune flock, advocating for a more thorough and scientifically-sound approach.