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Frank is Fed Up with the Feds Falsehoods
CFIA Disinformation #1, #2, and #3
Edgewood, BC – June 4, 2025
Disinformation Response to two CFIA Statements (May 31, 2025):
- Update on the CFIA’s actions at an HPAI infected premises at a BC ostrich farm
- CFIA’s basis for applying disease control measures at an avian influenza infected ostrich farm
My name is Katie, and I am the spokesperson and eldest daughter of Karen Espersen of Universal Ostrich Farm (UOF) in Edgewood, BC, Canada. We never thought we would have to speak out like this, but after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) published their May 30 (and now updated on May 31) media releases, we have no choice. What they released to the public is not science. It is by definition disinformation. Disinformation is “false information deliberately created and disseminated with the intent to mislead, manipulate, or cause harm.” Where have we seen this before?
Are you aware that Section 372 of the Criminal Code makes it an offense to knowingly convey false information with the intent to injure or alarm another person? This includes false communications made via telecommunication, and penalties can include imprisonment for up to two years. Reference: Government of Canada Justice Laws Website – Criminal Code
Is this CFIA media release a narrative designed to justify the destruction of our farm, discredit our family, and protect a broken trade system? Let’s get the truth out. Tune in regularly for Frankly Speaking episodes in the CFIA Disinformation press series.
Scientific Research
Disinformation #1: Universal Ostrich Farm has not substantiated their claims of scientific research.
Response: On Jan 3rd, we had a 5.5-hour meeting with CFIA where we voluntarily shared and provided extensive detailed records of current business, future plans and our research. Additionally, we provided to CFIA a letter from Dr. Tsukamoto confirming the research engagement with Universal Ostrich Farm and he offered praise for our integrity, unique relationship with our ostriches and farm practices confirming our relationship.
Quote from Dr. Tsukamoto’s email to Universal Ostrich Farms, dated January 4, 2025:
The CFIA’s claim that “Universal Ostrich Farm has not substantiated their claims of scientific research” is intentionally misleading and omits critical context. The farm submitted expert affidavits with hundreds of pages of expert reports — including from Dr. Steven Pelech, a highly credentialed professor in the department of medicine with a background in virology, immunology and infectious disease — attesting to the scientific value and unique genetic immune response of the ostriches. This included detailed evidence on their natural antibody production against spike proteins and the absence of illness despite environmental exposure.
In fact, during the judicial review process, CFIA lawyers explicitly requested that numerous crucial scientific affidavits be stricken from the record. Therefore, it is disingenuous for CFIA to now claim “no evidence was submitted” when they themselves moved to suppress it.
Why did CFIA not question or do cross examination on the farm’s expert witnesses and then prevent these top experts from submitting their reports to support our case?
Isn’t the input and research of top leading immunologists and virologists key and crucial into helping mitigate the risk of Avian Influenza?
Disinformation #2: CFIA has not received any evidence of scientific research being done at the infected premises.
Response: This is clearly an effort to discredit our farm. See response above and below. There were no infected premises during the research period. We halted research at the first sign of illness.
Unique Genetics
Disinformation #3: Research documentation was not provided during the review of their request for exemption from the disposal order based on unique genetics or during the judicial review process.
Response: We were forced by CFIA to complete a Distinct Unit Package form which is only applicable to commercial poultry farms, which we are not. Additionally, the CFIA officer presented it as the way to obtain exemption under a ‘rare and valuable genetics category’, which it is not. When we reached out to our CFIA agent for clarification of the form, she said to fill it out and any ‘no’ answers would guarantee a fail.
A Distinct Unit Package is an application for exemption from culling based on a farm having a number of aspects in place such as a separate epidemiology unit meaning there is separation of healthy from sick livestock. The UOF farm, as stated by CFIA office, is divided into 5 pens where there were 2 specific quarantined sick bird pens; the other 3 pens were for the healthy birds.
Furthermore, the Distinct Unit Package form required a minimum of three birds to be tested but CFIA only tested two birds, which among other requirements made an exemption unachievable – essentially putting us into a corner that prevented our farm’s consideration for exemption from culling.
We did provide research documentation in written and verbal form during meetings, email correspondence, phone calls, and visits to the farm with CFIA agents. See email below.
The origin and genes of the ostriches are sourced from rare and remote areas across Africa. The uniqueness of the genes can be demonstrated by testing.
Stay tuned… daily Frankly Speaking episodes are set to reveal the CFIA Disinformation series…
Media Contact:
Katie Pasitney
Spokesperson, Eldest Daughter, Universal Ostrich Farm
1-250-870-8246
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