Teresa Shields

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDGEWOOD, British Columbia - Nov 2, 2026 Universal Ostrich Farms Files Multimillion-Dollar Lawsuit Over Unlawful Raids and Seizures Universal Ostrich Farms Inc. and Landco Ventures Inc. have officially filed a multimillion dollar civil claim in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Attorney General of Canada, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The lawsuit arises from a series of aggressive and intrusive regulatory actions that culminated in an invasive 52-day occupation of the plaintiffs Edgewood, B.C. farm property, the forced slaughter of their ostrich flock, and the destruction of a commercial enterprise. Key Allegations and Causes of Action: • Unlawful Search and Occupation: On or about September 3, 2025, the CFIA and RCMP obtained search warrants based on an affirmation by Heather June Willis. The defendants entered the property without prior notice, leading to a continuous, months-long 24-hour occupation, during which they erected massive hay-bale "kill pens", disabled surveillance systems, restricted access, and secured airspace restrictions. • Inadequate Statutory Compensation:  Under the Health of Animals Act, the CFIA ordered the slaughter of 314 ostriches (out of 351 birds on site) and denied all compensation. • Animal Cruelty and Missing Birds: The claim highlights inhumane handling during slaughter operations contrary to internal guidelines and common law, alongside numerous birds going missing without proper inventory or chain of custody. • Unlawful Seizure of Ostrich Eggs: In 2025, the CFIA seized an unspecified number of ostrich eggs without lawful authority or compensation. These eggs served as the core input for Universal’s proprietary dietary supplement and pill product, which was poised for a commercial market launch generating projected revenues exceeding $200,000,000. The seizure permanently destroyed this enterprise. • Property Damage and Trespass: The plaintiffs seek damages for trespass, nuisance, intrusion upon seclusion, and permanent real property devaluation. Relief Sought from the Court: • An order requiring the defendants to remove all encroachments and remediate the property. • A complete accounting and return or compensation for all removed documents, materials, birds, and eggs. • General, special, punitive, and exemplary damages for trespass, harassment, intrusion upon seclusion, negligence, and Charter breaches. Official Statement from John Catsimatidis – US November 2 ,2026 "I was disappointed that the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) did not have enough respect to allow Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Oz, or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), one of the world's leading health agencies, to test the ostriches as they had requested.  This would have put everything to rest between the United States and Canada, which may have been a contributing factor to other things. It's a shame the CFIA did not listen to well respected professionals. Instead, the CFIA destroyed the ostriches and their eggs without allowing any testing, and without proof that the birds were infected, which created many doubts amongst the two countries.    I hope we can put it behind us and have our two countries work closer together like we always have." OFFICIAL MEDIA STATEMENT — KAREN ESPERSEN & KATIE PASITNEY | UNIVERSAL OSTRICH FARMS "As we mark one year since the devastating destruction of our 351 ostriches on November 6–7, 2025, we honour their lives, our family's 35-year legacy, and the people around the world who continue to stand with us. This memorial week, we have filed our civil lawsuit seeking justice, accountability, and meaningful policy change. Virus control and animal cruelty should never go hand in hand. Science must come before destruction, and government power must never be above accountability. The outcome at our farm does not erase responsibility. When enforcement shortcuts due process, everyone becomes vulnerable. If we fail to learn from this tragedy, we risk allowing it to happen again. This lawsuit is about more than compensation. It is about protecting rights, demanding transparency, and ensuring no other family or animals endure what we experienced. We cannot bring back our 351 ostriches, but we can fight to ensure their suffering was not in vain. Their voices were silenced, but their legacy will drive change." Karen Espersen & Katie Pasitney Universal Ostrich Farms Together are Stonger. The world is still watching. Miracle Monday [email protected] [email protected] – at Canada