We’re excited to have RFK Jr. – the U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services in a healthier future. He made an official appeal to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to reconsider its decision to cull ostriches on a British Columbia farm after an avian flu outbreak. In a letter to Paul MacKinnon, the agency’s president, Kennedy called on the CFIA to protect the birds. He explained their unique scientific value in helping to understand their immune response to avian flu.
A December-January outbreak resulted in dozens of ostriches dying from the virus. To avoid any spread, government officials ordered a cull of 4,700 chickens in the area. Kennedy emphasized the importance of these birds for scientific research. By knowing their immune response, we’re able to figure out how to make big strides in the vaccine and therapy development,” he said.
Following the announcement of the cull, demonstrations now surround the farm owned by the parents of activist Katie Pasitney. Pasitney has not been shy about sharing her concerns on social media regarding the treatment of the ostriches. She recently advocated against a drone attack that resulted in the death of one of the farm’s most valuable roosters. As soon as we were in town, the drone went up over the property late at night. Pasitney had noted right away that the bird had a distinct entry and exit wound, meaning someone had shot it.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are now conducting an investigation into the circumstances around the rooster’s death. Pasitney took to social media to share his heartfelt thanks with Kennedy. Issuing this intervention, Kennedy struck an important balance between protecting the lives of these animals and the integrity of scientific inquiry.
“Thank you for trying to protect innovative science and these animals.” – Katie Pasitney
Kennedy’s letter served to underscore a strong federal commitment to animal welfare alongside support for an important scientific advancement. He stated, “We are fully committed to supporting CFIA and Canadian farmers in safeguarding both public health and animal welfare and to further studying this important and unique flock for scientific advancement.”
He said that cooperation among national governments could offer more science-based methods of safeguarding both human and animal populations.
“It’s our hope that this collaboration will help us understand how to better protect human and animal populations and perhaps lead to the development of new vaccines and therapeutics.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Pasitney expressed optimism about the situation, stating, “Together, I know that we can create the most magical change out of this most challenging opportunity.”
As protests persist outside the farm, local residents and animal rights activists are joining forces to get the ostriches freed. Kennedy’s request has successfully cast the outcome into doubt. What it has done is sparked a much-needed national dialogue on the intersection of public health, animal welfare and scientific research.
