Expert Witness Reports and Affidavits

Source: Universal Ostrich Farms Inc. vs. Canadian Food Inspection Agency

On November 6, 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada declined UOF’s leave application to be heard at the Supreme Court level, for Universal Ostrich Farms Inc. v. Canadian Food Inspection Agency (41992).

During the past ten months of legal process, expert reports and affidavits were prepared for UOF by well-established and highly qualified scientific experts. However, they were not presented or entered into evidence, due to CFIA’s objection to their use and challenging the credentials of these experienced witnesses. The reports are published here for public reference, since the farm was not granted opportunity to present the entirety of evidence.

EXPERT REPORTS by:

1. Dr. Steven Pelech, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, President, Chief Scientific Officer, Kinexus Bioinformatics Corporation, Vice-President, and Co-Chair, Scientific Medical Advisory Committee, Canadian Citizens Care Alliance (Reports: Feb 10, Mar 13, Apr 1, May 21, Sep 23. 2025)
2. Dr. Byram Bridle, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Immunology and Virology, Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph (Report: Mar 3, 2025)

Chronological Order:

Dr. Steven Pelech Expert Report, dated February 10, 2025 (27 pgs.) “Risk of H5N1 influenza transmission from Ostriches located at Universal Ostrich Farms – Analysis of natural immunity”

Dr. Byram Bridle Affidavit–Expert Report, dated March 3, 2025 (149 pgs.)

Dr. Steven Pelech Expert Report, dated March 13, 2025 (17 pgs.) “Expert 2^nd Follow-up Report – Risk of H5N1 influenza transmission from Ostriches located at Universal Ostrich Farms, Ltd. – Analysis of natural immunity”

Dr. Steven Pelech Affidavit / Expert Report letter, dated April 1, 2025 (34 pgs.) “Expert Report –The Process Involved and Merits of Testing newly laid eggs from the ostriches to determine infection, transmissibility and immunity and merits of culling order”

Dr. Steven Pelech Review of Justice Zinn’s Federal Court Judgment, dated May 21, 2025 (14 pgs.) “Critique considers the Decision provided by Honourable Mr. Justice Zinn on May 13-19, 2025 with respect for the case of UOF vs. CFIA”

Dr. Steven Pelech letter to Minister of Agriculture, Heath MacDonald, dated September 23, 2025 (4 pgs.) “Scientific rationale to not cull the ostriches”.