The owners of an ostrich farm in British Columbia are facing a deadline to vacate their property or risk arrest. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were called to assist the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in enforcing a cull order due to an outbreak of avian influenza that has already killed 69 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood.

On Monday, officials served a search warrant at the farm, where tensions ran high. In a video shared on social media, a man identified as an RCMP officer warned a co-owner, Katie Pasitney, that she would be arrested if she did not leave the premises. "You have to leave the property.... The other option is, my compatriots here have to come in and arrest you," he stated.

Another video showed a CFIA inspector informing the farmers that they could remain in the birds' pen overnight but emphasized that the CFIA had control of the property. He warned of "consequences" if they did not leave voluntarily by Tuesday.

The RCMP clarified their role, stating, "Our primary role is to keep the peace and enforce the law while CFIA agents conduct their business."

Supporters of the farm gathered at the site, expressing their discontent with the situation. One local resident, Rod Giffen, criticized the decision to cull the birds without further testing. "It’s not right to kill the birds without allowing for testing to determine whether they still carry the virus," he said. Giffen encouraged visitors to the area to see the ostriches, describing them as "pretty interesting animals."

The farmers have taken their fight to save approximately 400 surviving ostriches to various courts, arguing that the birds are now healthy and scientifically valuable. However, the CFIA maintains that the birds were infected with a more lethal strain of avian influenza. In court documents, the agency stated that its policies do not allow for additional testing. It also noted that the risk of infection or reinfection remains uncertain due to gaps in scientific understanding regarding immunity in ostriches.

The farmers have repeatedly requested testing to confirm the health status of their flock. Pasitney announced that their legal team is filing paperwork to have the case heard by the Supreme Court of Canada.