Universal Ostrich Farms in rural Edgewood, B.C. was dealt a serious blow Thursday after a "devastating" Federal Court of Appeal decision, likely sentencing 400 healthy ostriches to death. Rebel News is en route to cover the breaking news story.

After five weeks, the high court unanimously dismissed the farm's appeal, upholding the Canadian Food Inspection's order to cull the immune prehistoric flock.

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The farm's April challenge was dismissed in Federal Court in May, with the judge upholding the agency’s actions under the Health of Animals Act and its "stamping-out" policy.

In December 2024, the CFIA ordered the flock destroyed after two birds tested positive for H5N1 avian flu via controversial PCR testing.

OSTRICH FARM NEWS:

Here is the Federal Court of Appeal decision to uphold the CFIA’s cull order to kill 400 ostriches that have been healthy and asymptomatic for 219 days.

This dancing rooster is the living proof.
Decision: https://t.co/PGfByJcPNj pic.twitter.com/wTCAcjCcsy

— Drea Humphrey (@DreaHumphrey) August 22, 2025

The dismissal dashed the farm's hopes.

As of writing, the surviving and naturally immune flock has been healthy and asymptomatic for 220 days. The length in time for which the birds have been symptom free was part of new evidence the farm argued the Appellate judges should consider.

"That is not our role,” reads the ruling. “We are only tasked with reviewing the reasonableness of the CFIA's decisions at the time they were made, which is the essence of the judicial review remedy.”

The high court affirmed the CFIA's controversial, WHO-inspired "stamping out" policy—culling healthy animals—as lawful and science-based.

“While we have considerable sympathy for them, the law we are bound to apply inevitably leads to the conclusion that this appeal must be dismissed,” it said.

OSTRICH FARM NEWS:

Here is the CFIAs statement following the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold their slaughter order of 400 healthy ostriches in Edgewood B.C.

Full statement: https://t.co/NfK2KAPsQG pic.twitter.com/kybuhN5t1S

— Drea Humphrey (@DreaHumphrey) August 22, 2025

Katie Pasitney, a farm spokesperson, told Rebel News that the decision brought "grief and hope intertwined." She stated, "Every morning, we … feed these birds knowing their lives are threatened. Every night, we sleep … [knowing] their resilience has changed us and could change the world if given the chance."

Pasitney and their crowdfunded lawyer will seek another emergency stay for the birds, hoping for a Supreme Court appeal if they survive the weekend. However, given the unanimous decision, the odds are low.

Ostrich farmer Katie Pasitney discusses how the federal court excluded herd immunity evidence from experts like UBC neurology prof & Scientific Officer of Kinexus Bioinformatics, Dr. Steven Pelech & Dr. Byram Bridle, Professor of Viral Immunology, Dept. of Pathobiology, U of G,… pic.twitter.com/W16l44mpaG

— Drea Humphrey (@DreaHumphrey) May 17, 2025

In a video, Pasitney tearfully invited people to join their peaceful resistance by camping at the farm over the weekend, stating the farm isn't giving up.

“... if anyone wants to come and show support and … just be here to support us and the family and these animals that are sitting here, we ask you to come [camp for a few days].”

Rebel News will document their situation and what unfolds in the coming days. Support this on-the-ground coverage at SaveTheOstriches.com.