The Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal has imposed a $10,000 penalty on the proprietors of Universal Ostrich farm in Edgewood, B.C., for neglecting to report signs of avian influenza in their birds in December 2024. Throughout 2025, Universal Ostrich farm gained international attention while engaging in legal battles to prevent the culling of hundreds of its birds after the detection of avian flu. Despite fervent protests from supporters and backing from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., approximately 300 ostriches were culled by skilled marksmen commissioned by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) at the farm in November 2025.
In a recent ruling, the agricultural review tribunal found the farm at fault for not informing the CFIA about avian influenza symptoms in its birds in December 2024. The tribunal disclosed that the CFIA was notified about the avian flu on December 28, 2024, following an anonymous call to its sick bird hotline, which was three weeks after birds started dying on the farm. The tribunal mentioned that farm co-owner Dave Bilinski reported symptoms such as fatigue and watery eyes, indicating avian flu.
According to the tribunal chairperson Emily Crocco’s decision, the farm owners claimed expertise in ostrich health but failed to comply with the Health of Animals Act as expected. The tribunal stated that the CFIA veterinarian advised Bilinski to seek a private veterinarian’s assistance and notify the CFIA if avian influenza was suspected. Universal Ostrich contended that the situation did not necessitate an emergency response based on the CFIA vet’s advice, as they had tried to contact a private veterinarian earlier. However, the tribunal emphasized that the farm’s duty to report outbreak situations to authorities is unaffected by a veterinary inspector’s opinions.
Crocco highlighted that farm regulations mandate direct communication with a veterinary inspector rather than mere attempts to contact one. She noted the presence of a “Sick Bird Line” at CFIA for reporting diseased birds and criticized the farm for not utilizing this resource promptly. The tribunal dismissed the CFIA’s claim that the farm intentionally withheld information and pointed out that the farm had no prior violations in the preceding five years. Additionally, it confirmed that the ostriches tested positive for highly pathogenic H5-subtype avian flu, potentially posing a severe risk to human and animal health.