Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has written a letter to the president of the Canadian Meals Inspection Company asking that ostriches at a B.C. farm be spared from a deliberate cull.
Kennedy, the U.S. secretary for well being and human companies, posted a letter on social media dated Friday and addressed to Paul MacKinnon, saying there can be “significant value” in finding out the ostriches’ immune response to avian flu.
The secretary, who says he spoke with MacKinnon on Thursday concerning the cull, thanked the Canadian company for what he stated was an openness to discussing a collaboration on a long-term examine of the roughly 400 birds at Common Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, B.C.
The letter is co-signed by the heads of the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration and Nationwide Institutes of Well being, who Kennedy stated additionally took half within the dialog with MacKinnon.
“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,” Kennedy stated within the social media put up.
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“We at HHS are excited about this opportunity for co-operation among our governments in a promising scientific partnership.”
The letter says the scenario requires additional analysis.
“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,” it reads.
The Canadian Meals Inspection Company didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Katie Pasitney, whose dad and mom personal the farm, thanked Kennedy on social media.
“Thank you for trying to protect innovative science and these animals,” she stated in a Fb put up.
“Together, I know that we can create the most magical change out of this most challenging opportunity.”
Earlier Friday, RCMP stated they have been investigating the dying of an ostrich on the farm, the place protesters have gathered to stop a cull of the birds ordered by federal authorities.
Pasitney posted a video on social media within the morning, saying a big drone had flown over the property between 1 and a couple of a.m., and one in every of their “biggest, beautiful roosters” was shot lifeless.
Pasitney stated in a later put up that Mounties had been accumulating statements from witnesses, and that there was a “clear entry wound and exit wound” by the chook that died.
The RCMP have confirmed an ostrich died and they’re investigating, however they haven’t offered particulars concerning the circumstances.
Mounties beforehand stated they have been conscious of “increased tensions” and protest exercise on the farm after the Federal Court docket upheld a cull order by the Canadian Meals Inspection Company earlier this month.
The company desires the flock culled due to an outbreak of avian flu that killed dozens of the birds in December and January.
