Ostrich farm sues for loss of dietary pill business, says projected revenue was $200M

The farmers had fought a protracted battle to save the surviving ostriches in the courts and on social media, but the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear their final appeal, allowing the CFIA to go ahead with the cull the flock this time last year.

Landco Ventures, the owner of the property outside Edgewood, B.C., which is leased to Universal Ostrich Farms, is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit filed in Vernon against the CFIA, the RCMP and the federal government.

The claim said Mounties and staff at the CFIA arrived at the farm and served warrants to Katie Pasitney, the daughter of Karen Espersen, who co-owns the ostrich farm.

But the claim said Pasitney is not an owner or shareholder of the farm.

It said the warrants provided “no legal, moral, or statutory right to occupy the property” and CFIA officials and others were trespassing.

The claim also said CFIA staff engaged in or permitted acts of cruelty in dealing with the flock of more than 300 ostriches.

The claims in the lawsuit filed Oct. 30 have not been tested in court.

RCMP said they were aware of the claim, but it would not be appropriate to comment while the court process is underway.

“Once served, the Department of Justice will review the claim and a statement of defence for the RCMP will be issued,” it said.

The CFIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

The lawsuit also said 351 ostriches were on the farm when the CFIA served its warrants, but compensation was only offered for the destruction of 314, with no explanation about what happened to the “missing” 37 birds.

The farm’s efforts to save the surviving ostriches lasted for months and drew support from protesters who camped on the property, as well as from figures in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2026.

Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Ostrich farm sues for loss of dietary pill business, says projected revenue was $200M

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