Avian Flu, Possible Wake Up Call

Avian Flu and Factory Farming: 

The latest outbreak of avian influenza at a British Columbia ostrich farm has once again underscored the devastating consequences of large-scale animal agriculture. The recent legal intervention preventing the immediate culling of more than 700 ostriches at Universal Ostrich in the Kootenays serves as a critical moment to reassess how factory farms contribute to disease spread and non-human animal suffering.

Avian flu, a highly contagious virus, thrives in environments where large populations of birds are confined in close quarters. These conditions accelerate the spread and mutation of the virus, increasing the likelihood of transmission not just among non-human animals but also to human-animals. Zoonotic diseases—those that jump between species—pose a severe risk to global health, with experts warning that industrial-scale farming creates the perfect storm for future pandemics.

This is not an isolated incident. Time and again, factory farms have been linked to outbreaks of avian influenza, leading to the mass extermination of millions of birds worldwide. Rather than addressing the root cause—unsustainable and inhumane farming practices—industry and government responses continue to rely on mass culling as a solution. These so-called “depopulation efforts” do nothing to curb future outbreaks; they simply reset the cycle, treating non-human animals as disposable commodities rather than sentient beings.

Animal Justice has condemned the planned mass killing of the ostriches, calling it "an inhumane and unnecessary response to disease outbreaks" (Animal Justice, 2025). The organization has urged the government to explore more compassionate, science-based responses that prioritize both biosecurity and the well-being of non-human animals. “Canada’s approach to avian flu must evolve beyond endless cycles of cruel and ineffective culls,” Animal Justice stated, emphasizing that large-scale factory farming is at the heart of the crisis (Animal Justice, 2025).

Notably, while Animal Justice's statement vehemently opposes the planned culling, it does not offer immediate alternatives for managing the presence of the virus within the flock. Instead, the organization advocates for a long-term strategy of moving away from factory farming—a shift that this author also supports. Embracing more plant-based diets and lifestyles, is a crucial step toward reducing our reliance on animal agriculture and ending the inhumane practices prevalent in slaughterhouses as discussed in our previous article Animal Justice Gets Win in Chilliwack.

Beyond the staggering loss of life, these outbreaks highlight the urgent need for legislative change. Stricter regulations on industrial-scale animal farming, improved biosecurity measures, and a shift toward more ethical and sustainable food systems are imperative. Additionally, greater investment in plant-based agriculture and cultivated meat alternatives could help reduce the demand for factory-farmed animals, mitigating both the ethical and public health risks associated with these operations.

The Universal Ostrich case must serve as a wake-up call. Human-animals have a moral and practical responsibility to reevaluate the way we treat non-human animals, not only for their sake but for the health and safety of all species. It is time to challenge a system that continues to sacrifice countless lives under the guise of economic efficiency and disease management. The lives of these birds—and the future of global public health—depend on it.