RFK JR. He spoke to Canadian health officials about saving a Cull ostrich from Cull from Cull

US Health Minister Robert F. says. Kennedy Junior has spoken to Canadian health officials about sparing a flock of ostriches in British Columbia that was killed by bird influenza.

In a statement published in X, Kennedy says that he spoke with the head of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Paul McKinnon on Thursday to discuss the fate of nearly 400 ostrich in Universal in Edwood, BC where bird influenza was discovered in the Mitt Perfumes in December 2024.

In a message to Mackinnon and published to X, Kennedy repeats that he is asking for respect for “CFIA” to consider the non -execution of the entire ostrich herd “, on the pretext that” we believe that there is a great value in the study of this population. “

Among the reasons mentioned in the long -term nature of ostriches, and the ability to obtain information about the antibodies to bird flu.

He continues to write that the US Department of Health and Humanitarian Services, the National Health Institutes (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will provide “full support and assistance” in conducting the proposed test and research.

The message, signed by Kennedy, as well as the manager at the National Health Institutes Jay Bahtashara and the FDA Commissioner (FDA) Martin A. Macari indicated that although US officials are aware of the importance of stopping the spread of bird flu, they believe that there is limited value in killing the remaining birds in the global essence, almost six months away from the fact that the last bird believed to be infected.

It also warns of the policy of killing all birds in every infected herd, given the extensive nature of the influenza in birds in wild bird groups.

This is not the first time that Kennedy was taught in the case, after he was previously asked about it during an intervention on a radio program in New York and told the host that he was “terrified of the idea that they would kill these animals.”

CFIA said that Cull will move forward

CBC News called CFIA to respond.

Earlier in the day, the CBC News made a statement indicating that Cull will move forward and will not be re -tested. It will also not consider the end of the “conclusion” policy, which is applied to all herds of “local poultry” where bird flu is discovered, which includes ostriches, mesus with ducks, chicken and turkey.

The spokeswoman wrote: “Under the closing policy in Canada, all local birds are in places of population to control the risk of more proliferation,” the spokeswoman wrote.

Court documents showed that CFIA has provided the comprehensive ostrich to make a request for an exemption, but has failed to meet the required standards, which contain evidence that birds are rare or unique enough to spare them. The methods of proving this include education books, recognition from an accredited dynasty association or poultry industry, or a specific genomic test, which the farm was unable to provide.

Only one exemption was granted to a matter granted in Canada, in 2022 in the case of Turkey’s farm where bird flu was discovered in two ban, but not others in the building, because these animals have been separate and take safety measures to prevent their possible spread among the different structures. Stone policy.

In this previous statement, CFIA says policy is based on the standards of the World Animal Health Organization, and recalls that “the case of one laboratory is certain of the H5 bird flu is sufficient to announce infected buildings, given how easy the disease is to other birds.”

It says in the case of the global ostrich farm, the disease has been confirmed by collecting repeated samples from two recently available planes.

Supporters gather

The farm attracted many supporters from Canada and internationally, and a few dozen of them were stationed in property after a May 13, the ruling of the federal court Saying that the coy can move forward.

The judge did not burden in this ruling to the scientific arguments of the case, as he was sentenced that CFIA has a mandate from the federal government to deal with cases such as executions, and it will be inappropriate for the judiciary to participate.

Instead, the ruling said that CFIA has followed the appropriate channels and policies in making its decision.

CFIA argued that its policies are based on scientific research, as well as the Canadian international obligations to try to prevent bird flu from mutating and spreading more, making it more dangerous for both humans and animals.

Many politicians, including Prime Minister BC David EBY, have expressed his frustration that CFIA was not flexible in the individual issue.

Many people who raise livestock are concerned about the reports policy, arguing that bird influenza has spread widely in wild birds, and it is almost impossible to prevent possible infection while allowing animals to interact with the outside world.

However, CFIA says it is recognized for both the economic and emotional impact of calves, which is why it provides compensation for any animals killed – up to $ 3,000 per animal in the case of ostriches.

Difficult decision: Professor

Fiona Bernckman, a professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Simon Fraser University, told CBC News after the court’s decision that CFIA is in a difficult situation in the face of a very contagious disease that does not affect not only birds but also mammals, including humans.

“It is really difficult,” she said in an interview with CBC. Daybreak South Chris Walker host. “This ultimately is a tragedy of pathogens that now pose a threat to multiple industries and many animals.”

She said the biggest fear is that the new alternative to bird flu can turn into more dangerous animals and humans.

But she said that she hoped that CFIA will take new ostrich tests now after a long time has passed since the initial execution order was given.

“I hope they will make more investigations,” she said.

Bruntman noted that for most herds of local birds, the death rate once the bird flu is detected is more than 90 percent, but this was not the case for the amulet, with the majority is still alive. However, this also means that the virus can “remain” in birds for a longer period of time, and may spread to wild herds.

“There is a real problem with birds unable to be protected,” she said. “Poultry, for example, you can put them in a fold. This is not suitable for ostriches.”