The Supreme Court of Canada is poised to announce its decision regarding a final appeal from a British Columbia ostrich farm. This comes more than 10 months after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) mandated a cull due to an avian flu outbreak last December. Universal Ostrich Farms, located in Edgewood, B.C., has faced setbacks in both Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. The future of its flock, which consists of approximately 300 ostriches, now rests with the high court.

In September, the Supreme Court stayed the cull while it deliberated on whether to hear the case. If the court opts not to take it up, there will be no legal impediment preventing the CFIA from proceeding with the cull. Legal experts suggest that the farm's chances of success are slim, given the unfavorable rulings from federal courts earlier this year.

The situation has drawn significant attention, with supporters gathering at the farm to protest the potential cull. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also intervened, advocating for the ostriches' preservation due to their scientific importance. The owners of Universal Ostrich Farms argue that the CFIA's policy of culling flocks following avian flu detection is misguided. They contend that their ostriches have developed "herd immunity," while the CFIA maintains that even healthy-looking birds can still transmit the disease.

Currently, the CFIA has custody of the ostriches. The farm's owners allege that the birds were forcibly and unlawfully taken from their property by the agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The Supreme Court's decision is highly anticipated, as it will determine the fate of the flock and the future of the farm.