Universal Ostrich Farms sues CFIA, RCMP over 2025 cull

The owners of Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., have filed a civil lawsuit against the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Attorney General of Canada and the RCMP over the 2025 cull of their flock.

Universal Ostrich Farms and its parent company, Landco Ventures, filed the claim on Oct. 30, according to CBC News and Castanet. The allegations in the claim have not been tested in court.

The owners allege the CFIA and RCMP unlawfully searched and occupied the farm, paid inadequate compensation, and mishandled animals and property, according to the reports. They also allege birds went missing and that eggs were seized without lawful basis.

The claim says the CFIA offered Universal Ostrich $942,000 for the destruction of 314 birds, and alleges that figure does not reflect fair market value. It alleges 351 birds were on the property and says the full extent of the missing birds has not been disclosed to the owners.

“The full extent of missing birds has not been disclosed to Universal, and CFIA has provided no satisfactory explanation for the discrepancy,” the lawsuit says, according to the reports. CBC reported the farm is demanding compensation for 37 birds it says are missing.

The owners also claim they were never compensated for 1,200 ostrich eggs allegedly seized as part of the operation. The eggs were meant for a dietary supplement the owners were developing, according to the filing.

In a statement to CBC News, the CFIA said it was aware of the lawsuit and would respond in due course. The RCMP and the federal Justice Department had not commented in the reports reviewed by Canada News Media.

The cull followed an avian flu outbreak on the farm that killed about 70 birds. The CFIA ordered the remaining flock destroyed, and the owners argued the surviving birds were healthy. Canada News Media has reported on a tribunal decision upholding a $10,000 fine against the farm for failing to report sick birds.

The cull in November 2025 drew protests and wide attention, as previously reported. A CFIA official later described threats and harassment during the operation.

The name Universal Ostrich Farms drew more than 2,000 searches in Canada on Tuesday, according to Google Trends Canada.

Canada News Media will update this story when the government files a response.

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Sources: CBC News, Castanet.