A New York billionaire who is a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump says he is helping fund the legal battle by a B.C. ostrich farm against an order to cull their flock of about 400 birds after an avian flu outbreak.

John Catsimatidis said he and a friend had contributed about US$35,000 to the legal fight by Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood to stop the cull ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The 76-year-old, whose $4.5 billion net worth includes an oil refinery and a chain of New York grocery stores, took credit Tuesday for putting the ostrich farm in the international spotlight, by raising it with Trump administration officials.

He said if the roles were reversed, he would be OK with a wealthy Canadian attempting to exert influence on U.S. policy.

“I think the Can

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