In this special episode of The Lavigne Show, Jason Lavigne sits down with Viva Frei to unpack the extraordinary case of the Universal Ostrich Farm in British Columbia — where nearly 400 healthy ostriches are facing a government-ordered cull.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requires destruction following the detection of H5N1. However, evidence suggests that the flock survived, developed natural immunity, and may hold considerable value for biomedical research. Dr. Steven Pelech’s findings confirm the presence of antibodies in ostrich eggs that could advance science, yet his expert testimony was rejected in Federal Court.
Jason and Viva delve into the legal, political, and scientific aspects of this battle. Why is the CFIA ignoring built-in legal discretion for treatment and research? Why are U.S. officials urging Canada to preserve the flock while Ottawa pushes ahead with culling? And what does this say about transparency, science, and government accountability in Canada today?
This is more than a farm story — it’s a test of whether evidence and research value can outweigh bureaucratic policy.
Watch the whole conversation and decide for yourself.
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