Ostrich Farm Fined $10,000 for Delayed avian Flu Reporting in British Columbia
The owners of Universal Ostrich farm in Edgewood, British Columbia, have been issued a $10,000 fine by the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal for failing to promptly report suspected cases of avian influenza to authorities in December 2024. The case, which drew international attention throughout 2025, underscores the critical importance of rapid disease reporting in agricultural settings to prevent widespread outbreaks.
The controversy surrounding Universal Ostrich escalated as the farm mounted multiple legal challenges in an attempt to halt the planned cull of its flock following the detection of the highly pathogenic virus. Despite these efforts, approximately 300 ostriches were ultimately culled in November 2025 by marksmen contracted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), a decision met with fervent opposition from dedicated supporters.
The tribunal’s recent ruling confirmed that the CFIA was not officially alerted to the potential avian flu outbreak until December 28, 2024 — a full three weeks after farm co-owner Dave Bilinski first observed symptoms consistent with the disease, including fatigue and watery eyes in his birds.
“The [farm] owners purport to be experts in ostrich health and welfare,†tribunal chairperson Emily Crocco stated in her decision. “And yet they failed to exercise the same level of adherence to the [Health of animals Act] that a reasonably prudent person would have done in a similar situation.â€
Watch the CFIA confirm the completion of the ostrich cull in British Columbia.
The tribunal’s investigation revealed that the CFIA received an anonymous tip via its “Sick Bird Line†prompting a veterinarian to contact Bilinski on the same day. The veterinarian advised Bilinski to consult a private veterinarian and, if avian influenza was suspected, to facilitate a CFIA inspection. Universal Ostrich argued that this guidance implied the situation did not necessitate an immediate emergency response, and that they had already begun seeking a private vet.
Though, the tribunal firmly rejected this interpretation, asserting that the opinions of a veterinary inspector do not supersede the farm’s legal obligation to notify authorities under federal regulations. Crocco emphasized that regulations require actual contact with a veterinary inspector, not merely an attempt. “I received uncontested evidence that the [CFIA] has a “Sick Bird Line†that anyone can phone to report a diseased bird to a veterinary inspector,” she wrote. “All the Applicant had to do was instantly make a call to that phone number.â€
The case attracted high-profile support for the farm, including from Dr. mehmet Oz and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. kennedy Jr., who reportedly engaged with Canadian authorities to advocate for the preservation of the ostriches for scientific research.
See coverage of Dr. Oz and U.S. officials offering to take the ostriches.
While the CFIA initially suggested the farm’s failure to report was intentional, the tribunal disagreed, noting Universal Ostrich had no prior violations in the preceding five years. the tribunal also confirmed that the ostriches tested positive for a highly pathogenic H5-subtype avian flu strain.
“As a result, I find that the violation could have led to serious or widespread harm to human or animal health,†the decision concluded, highlighting the potential consequences of delayed reporting in the face of a highly contagious disease. The ruling serves as a stark reminder to agricultural operations of their responsibility to prioritize biosecurity and adhere to established reporting protocols.
