By Katie Pasitney

On April 15th and 16th, 2025, Universal Ostrich Farms and the family behind it appeared before the Federal Court in Vancouver, BC, for a judicial review of two critical decisions made by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): the denial of their exemption request and the enforcement of a December 31st cull date for their flock.

During two intense days of proceedings, the family challenged the CFIAs “stamping out” policy and argued for the protection of their ostriches—an extraordinarily rare and healthy flock that represents more than just agricultural value. These birds, they argued, are a living laboratory with immense scientific potential in the study of avian influenza, immunity, antibody development, and genetic resistance to related pathogens.

At the close of arguments on Wednesday, April 16th, no verdict was issued. The family now anxiously awaits the court’s decision.

Universal Ostrich Farms is not just another farm. Nestled in Edgewood, it has become a beacon of hope and innovation. The ostriches at the centre of this battle are living proof of what nature’s immune systems can offer science, the agricultural industry, and the public at large.

The farm continues to be surrounded by caring people who stand in solidarity with the family—championing truth, scientific progress, and the urgent need to make space for such values within our traditional systems. Supporters recognize that the policies being challenged are not meant to remain static; they are meant to evolve. There is immense opportunity here to create positive change that could ripple across agriculture, science, and policy.

Amid this legal and emotional struggle, the family is also enduring personal heartbreak. In what they described as a deeply disturbing act, one of their cherished twelve-year-old hens, Sarah, was found executed in the middle of the night on Thursday. Authorities are now conducting an ongoing investigation into this tragic and suspicious incident. For the family, already facing the fight of their lives, the loss was both devastating and symbolic of the broader hostility they’ve encountered.

The family says they are standing up not just for themselves, but for farmers and cultural industries across Canada that are increasingly under threat from government overreach. They argue this overregulation is not only exhausting farmers—especially those who have seen entire flocks wiped out—but also jeopardizing Canada’s food security. “After a forced cull, how do you find the strength to start again?” they ask. “This system is making it harder and harder.”

To make matters worse, the decisions by the CFIA have been based solely on 2 PCR tests, with no further viral follow-up testing on any of the birds—despite the entire flock being healthy and thriving. January 14th was the last symptomatic death from the virus, yet the farm still faces extreme penalties. If they choose to test their birds independently to prove their health, they risk up to a $250,000 fine and six months in jail.

Like many farmers across British Columbia, Universal Ostrich Farms finds itself at odds with outdated and ineffective policies. The CFIA’s current approach—mandating full-flock culling to control avian flu—has repeatedly failed to halt the disease’s spread, largely driven by wild bird migration. Critics argue the policy may be doing more harm than good by eradicating naturally immune animals, and with them, the possibility of finding a biological solution.

“If we eliminate animals with natural immunity, we are destroying our planet’s most powerful line of defense—one that has helped species survive for millions.”

Learn more and get involved at SaveOurOstriches.com