More than $6 million was spent leading up to the killing, and the execution, of more than 300 ostriches in Edgewood last year.
Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee MP Scott Anderson sought out these figures in the House of Commons, questioning the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food on Dec. 9.
The numbers in response to action against the Universal Ostrich Farm were provided and tabled on Monday, Jan. 26.
“The drama significantly affected the Canadian public’s distrust of federal institutions, and yet we have heard very little in defence from the CFIA other than bland claims that the stamping out policy is good,” Anderson said in his social media.
More than $3.8 million was spent in RCMP costs between Feb. 20 and Dec. 9, and $1.59 million for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The Department of Justice reports total legal costs associated with action taken related to the ostrich farm amount to approximately $1.38 million.
“Why did it cost our government, the people, so much to kill innocent healthy birds that held a cure and CFIA was given by top experts?” farm co-owner Karen Espersen said. “Dr Steven Pelech and Dr. Byram Bridle. Both experts saying test the live birds, protect them and study them.”
A detailed breakdown of the report is available by the Parliament online.
They detail salaries ($339,497), animal feed ($13,780), facilities – washrooms, hand wash stations ($148,249), legal services ($44,248), materials and supplies ($380,396), professional services ($482,734), public utilities ($24,986), travel expenses ($100,067) and vehicles ($62,355) for CFIA
Of the professional services disposal services cost of $166,087, there was $19,128 for protection services, cyber security worth $35,300, office security costs $124,241 at CFIA offices, private veterinarian services worth $2,967 and biocontainment compliance monitoring totalling $6,743.00.
Another $6,491 was spent on heat, operational refuse bin rental and tipping fees worth $18,495, travel expenses amounting to $100,067, vehicle rentals worth $34,710 plus $27,645 in recreational vehicle rentals.
“Cyber security and office security costs were incurred as a result of threats to Canadian Food Inspection Agency personnel across the country, at a number of Canadian Food Inspection Agency offices, via IT accounts and direct threats to Canadian Food Inspection Agency employees,” the report reads. “These costs are not for security on site as that was provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”
Universal Ostrich Farm was issued a $10,000 fine by the CFIA.
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