Surrey company received ‘death threats’ over false rumours it was part of ostrich cull

A Surrey business says its employees have been targeted with “death threats” over erroneous accusations that it is providing services to those involved in the proposed culling of hundreds of ostriches on a B.C. farm due to the avian flu.

Nucor Environmental Solutions Ltd. has posted a message on its home page denying that it is involved in any way with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s plan to cull nearly 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms near Edgewood, B.C.

The cull was order by the federal agency after avian flu was detected in the flock last December, killing an estimate 70 birds. The farm’s owners have been fighting the order ever since in the media and on social media – with a message that has spread all the way to the American president.

That has led some supporters to target businesses believed to be providing services to the CFIA with bad reviews. A review of farm owner Katie Pasitney’s Facebook page shows her telling supporters to stop giving bad reviews to at least one business that has nothing to do with the case.

Nucor’s message on its website said that some farm supporters have crossed a line.

“The false allegations of involvement have resulted in Nucor Environmental Solutions team members, including their family members, being inundated with false accusations and threatened – including death threats,” reads the online post. “The targeting of Nucor Environmental Solutions Ltd. personnel and their families is inappropriate and dangerous.”

The company said that it is not involved in any way with the cull.

“Nucor Environmental Solutions has not been onsite, has no equipment onsite, is not providing services of any kind and will not be conducting any work at Universal Ostrich Farms,” said the company.

Others have posted messages online saying they are facing threatening messages, and the BC RCMP issued a statement saying it has received multiple complaints.

“The RCMP has also received complaints from businesses in the area of threats, intimidation and harassment due to the dispute,” reads a BC RCMP statement. “We are investigating these incidents and will take steps to ensure that those who unlawfully interfere with or threaten the safety of any person or property may be held accountable in accordance with the laws of Canada.”

The BC SPCA took steps to distance itself from the cull, saying it’s the CFIA’s jurisdiction.

“The BC SPCA does not have any authority to intervene or influence the decision-making process where avian influenza is a factor, nor does it have the authority to prevent a legally permitted cull from happening,” reads a post on the BC SPCA’s website.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a temporary reprieve to the farm, ordering a stay of the cull as it mulls over an application for leave to appeal a lower court decision to go ahead with the cull.

On Sept. 3, the CFIA was granted a warrant to enter the farm and the RCMP was there to keep the peace. On Sept. 23, the two owners were arrested.

Avian influenza, also known as “bird flu,” is a viral infection that spreads easily and quickly among both farmed and wild birds but can also be spread to people and other animals.

As there is currently no treatment for infected birds, farmed animals are euthanized when flocks are confirmed to be infected to reduce animal suffering and prevent the risk of further disease transmission, said the BC SPCA.