Months without avian influenza deaths or even signs of illness has Universal Ostrich questioning why nearly 400 birds must die without further testing.
The Edgewood farm has been ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to cull the entire flock of birds after it declared an outbreak at the property in January 2025.
The farm has fought the cull order, taking CFIA to court and now refusing to follow through with the order and since being fined $20,000.
But Universal Ostrich says only two ostriches were ever tested by CFIA six months ago.
The farm has repeatedly requested further testing and offered to collaborate with authorities, but says these requests have been denied and threats made of severe penalties up to $200,000 or jail time if independent testing is done.
“Let’s study the birds. Let’s lead with science, not fear,” said Katie Pasitney, Universal Ostrich spokesperson. “Because if exposure alone becomes a death sentence, every outdoor farm in Canada is at risk.”
Beyond the immediate concerns of animal welfare, the farm emphasizes the scientific importance of the flock. The ostriches have developed natural antibodies to H5N1 and represent a rare and valuable opportunity for research.
Universal Ostrich states "these birds have been genetically curated over decades and may hold the key to developing treatments or therapeutics for avian influenza."
The farm is not looking to avoid regulation — it is asking for due process, scientific investigation, and humane treatment of animals.
“We are stewards of these birds,” said Pasitney. “We have a legal and moral duty to care for them. We are simply asking for the opportunity to fulfill that duty."
Pasitney says science should guide the actions, not policy.
“We are not opposed to public health measures—but we are deeply concerned that the current approach lacks transparency, scientific rigor, and compassion.”
Public health authorities in the United States have called for a halt to the cull and offered to collaborate.
“If our largest trading partner is open to cooperation, we must ask why our own agency is not,” Pasitney added.
Universal Ostrich is also troubled by a CFIA statement saying it did not submit a comprehensive business case and strategic plan outlining how the birds and their antibodies could be used in research and development.
