U.S. billionaire supports embattled B.C. ostrich farm

Winnipeg—A New York Metropolis-based businessman is financially supporting the house owners of an ostrich farm in British Columbia as they dispute an order from the Canadian Meals Inspection Company to cull the birds resulting from avian influenza.

John A. Catsimatidis, a Republican businessman and speak present host who can also be CEO of the Pink Apple Group conglomerate within the japanese U.S., mentioned he’ll fund Common Ostrich Farm’s authorized battle in Canada’s Federal Courtroom of Enchantment.

The CFIA ordered the cull and fined the farm’s house owners after 69 birds died on the farm from avian flu in December and January. The Federal Courtroom of Enchantment reserved its resolution whether or not to uphold the ruling earlier this month. Common Ostrich Farm mentioned it could take its combat to the Supreme Courtroom of Canada if crucial.

House owners and supporters of the farm declare the surviving birds might be used for antibody analysis. Katie Pasitney, the daughter of the farm’s house owners, wrote to Catsimatidis for help again in February, claiming that the birds have been a part of an antibody program in Canada, the U.S. and Japan. Nevertheless, virologists consider any analysis would have little worth because the ostriches have been principally outdoor and uncovered to the weather.

Catsimatidis referred to as the ostriches “iconic” and “historic”, including that he contacted his “associates within the Trump administration” in addition to Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid, for his or her help.

The Los Angeles Instances reported that the U.S. Division of Agriculture has distributed greater than US$230 million in emergency reduction funds to California dairy farmers affected by bird flu since August 2024.

Over three-quarters of the state’s 1,000 dairy farms noticed chicken flu infections over the previous yr and the USDA has issued funds to 359 of them between November and June. Extra funds are anticipated from the USDA’s Emergency Help for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, which was beforehand used for farmers devastated by pure disasters. Nevertheless, some dairy farms are set to lose thousands and thousands of {dollars} in milk earnings alone.

Scientists from Pennsylvania State College and the College of Pittsburgh have discovered that seasonal flu immunity could defend folks from buying H5N1 chicken flu, which may clarify why most people contaminated with the virus solely noticed delicate signs.

Their examine discovered that ferrets with pre-existing immunity to the 2009 H1N1 flu pressure have been considerably protected when uncovered to different ferrets purposely contaminated with H5N1. Solely half of the ferrets beforehand contaminated with H1N1 grew to become contaminated with H5N1 and the contaminated animals confirmed no indicators of illness. Nevertheless, scientists warned that H5N1 can nonetheless evolve and turn into extra harmful because it circulates amongst different animals.

In Canada, there are solely six premises at present contaminated with chicken flu, the CFIA reported. No Canadian cattle have been contaminated with the virus.

---

You’ll additionally obtain business and coverage info, multi functional handy e-mail delivered proper to your inbox!

One e-mail delivered 6 days per week for ranchers, feedlots, packers and livestock gross sales operators.