News release

Update #4 – BC RCMP’s role during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency cull exercise

November 7, 2025 - Edgewood, British Columbia
From: Nakusp RCMP

Content

On September 3, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) applied for and was granted a Warrant to Search the Universal Ostrich Farm property located in Edgewood, BC. Due to the ongoing protest activity at the farm and increased tensions resulting from the various court proceedings over several months, the BC RCMP was requested to attend the farm by the CFIA to keep the peace and enforce the law while their agents conduct their lawful authority to search the property.

The CFIA operation began on Monday, September 22, 2025. As with any protest, the RCMP is an impartial party and takes a measured approach to ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the dispute and those present at the site.

On November 6, 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the Universal Ostrich Farm’s application for leave to appeal from the judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal. The role of the BC RCMP remained unchanged; however, weeks of threats and intimidation towards CFIA agents and contractors reinforced that RCMP presence was necessary to keep the peace and ensure overall safety.

Shortly after 3:30 p.m., the BC RCMP closed Langille Road to non-residents for public safety reasons, in preparation for the CFIA cull exercise. RCMP was responsible for the safety and security of the site throughout the exercise and did not otherwise take an active role in the cull.

Upon completion of the dynamic portion of the CFIA operation, the road was fully reopened.

“The CFIA cull exercise was paused by the RCMP in order to allow for shift change of our security team,” said Staff Sergeant Kris Clark. “Once our safety concerns were addressed, CFIA contractors were allowed to proceed. With our oversight of safety protocols, no one was injured during the dynamic portion of the CFIA operation, and no arrests were made.”

Now that the cull is complete, the RCMP will remain on site at the request of CFIA while the lead agency continues with disposal, and demobilization.

Associated links

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on British Columbia Ostrich Farm (BC-IP233)

Contacts