Tribunal Overturns $10K Fine Against Universal Ostrich Farm Over Quarantine Notice Delivery

The Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal has overturned a $10,000 penalty issued to Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., after finding the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) failed to properly deliver a quarantine notice as required under federal regulations.

The fine stemmed from allegations that the farm did not comply with a quarantine order placed on its flock of approximately 300 ostriches following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in December 2024. The outbreak resulted in the deaths of several dozen birds.

The CFIA alleged that Universal Ostrich failed to properly quarantine its flock between Feb. 6 and Feb. 26, 2025. According to the agency, an initial quarantine notice was emailed on Dec. 31, followed by a final amended notice sent by email on Feb. 6. A physical copy was delivered in person on Feb. 26.

However, in a decision issued Feb. 6 of this year, the tribunal ruled that the CFIA did not meet its obligation to personally serve the final amended notice before the alleged non-compliance period.

“The CFIA has not met their burden to prove that either Universal waived their right to personal delivery or that the circumstances justify an exception to the personal delivery requirement,” the tribunal wrote.

Regulatory requirements at issue

Under the Health of Animals Regulations, quarantine notices are generally required to be delivered in person. The CFIA argued that emailing the final notice to the farm’s lawyer satisfied that requirement.

The tribunal disagreed, stating there was insufficient evidence to show that exceptional circumstances justified bypassing in-person service.

“There is no evidence that during the period when Universal is alleged to have contravened the quarantine notice, anything other than normal winter conditions existed to explain the delay in personal service,” the decision stated.

The tribunal emphasized that in-person delivery serves an important purpose beyond formal notification. Physical service allows agency officials to assess whether farm operators understand the seriousness of the disease threat and to determine whether additional enforcement actions are required.

“Email service defeats these purposes entirely,” the tribunal wrote.

As a result, the $10,000 fine was declared null and void.

Broader legal and public controversy

The ruling is the latest development in a prolonged and highly publicized dispute between Universal Ostrich Farms and federal authorities.

In November 2025, CFIA-contracted marksmen culled the farm’s flock despite vocal opposition from supporters and protesters who had gathered at the property. The case drew international attention, including expressions of support from U.S. public figures.

The overturned fine is separate from another $10,000 penalty upheld last December, in which the farm was fined for failing to promptly report symptoms of avian influenza among its birds.

In late January, a parliamentary response revealed that the cull operation cost taxpayers approximately $7 million, including roughly $3.8 million in RCMP expenses.

Legal challenges related to the case have continued to move through regulatory and administrative channels, underscoring ongoing tensions around animal health enforcement, regulatory procedure, and public transparency.