The dairy industry should find simple ways to convey the complex messages of how it deals with animal welfare, food safety and environmental stewardship. If it doesn’t, it runs the risk that consumers will get their information from other sources, including advocacy organizations, which can sometimes question farmer credibility. Why it matters: With international trade […] Read more
Tag Archives animal welfare
Communicating the complexity of livestock farming
Farmers do have consumers’ trust on their side
OSPCA to step away from livestock inspection and enforcement on March 31
Organization’s decision hastens timing for legislative rewrite for animal cruelty enforcement
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) says it will stop cease enforcing animal cruelty regulations for farm animals as of March 31. That’s shorter than the three months after March 31 that the OSPCA has offered to continue enforce legislation for pets. Ontario’s Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services […] Read more
Livestock transport code of practice in the works
The code will cover cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep and equine for road transportation and should be completed by 2023
New regulations and a code of practice for livestock transportation are coming. The scope of the code of practice covers cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep and equine for road transportation, said Jackie Wepruk of the National Farm Animal Care Council. Why it matters: Consumers are becoming more aware and more concerned that sound animal welfare practices […] Read more
Pessimistic calves at a disadvantage
Researchers have discovered that some calves are more fearful than others, which can have implications for future health
Some cattle are more fearful than others. It’s a universal truth confirmed by anyone who has handled cattle herds. But fearfulness is connected to pessimism, says University of British Columbia PhD student Benjamin Lecorps. His research on 22 Holstein dairy calves has shown that some animals are inherently more pessimistic than others, and that trait […] Read more
Ontario government appealing animal welfare enforcement ruling
The ruling gave the government a year to create greater transparency around animal welfare enforcement
The Ontario government is appealing the court ruling that give it a year to sort out a way to make animal welfare enforcement in Ontario more accountable. The Jan. 2, 2019 ruling from Ontario Superior Court Justice Timothy Minnema, said that the powers given to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals […] Read more
Researcher seeks input on animal inspection alternatives
A recent court ruling mandated changes to animal inspection in Ontario in a year
A recognized expert in animal cruelty policy would welcome consideration of laws in other jurisdictions if and when Ontario updates its own legislation. But Dr. Kendra Coulter also wants to ensure the public has its say and she has launched an online survey she hopes will facilitate that input. Coulter is chair of Labour Studies […] Read more
Animal neglect linked to mental health
Those concerned with the well-being of animals should be concerned about the mental health of those caring for them
Stories about livestock that are found to be confined, neglected, emaciated or dead on a farmer’s property tend to generate big headlines. “I don’t understand how anyone could do that,” is the resulting refrain. Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton has heard that common response. “Frankly, if you can’t understand that, it’s probably a good thing. It means […] Read more
Farmer with shot cow finding few areas of compensation
The farmer found little interest in pursuing the animal’s shooters by authorities
A beef farmer from northwestern Ontario is searching for answers after he was forced to euthanize a pregnant 29 month-old cow after it was shot October 10 in an apparent hunting accident. “We’ve got 15 cows and 15 calves on pasture,” said Barwick-area producer Allen Jolicoeur in a recent interview. “My son went down in […] Read more
Province given a year to revamp OSPCA powers
Court ruling says group’s animal welfare enforcement powers needs oversight
The Ontario government has been given a year to revamp legislation governing inspection of complaints and enforcement of orders related to animal welfare, following a ruling on Jan. 2 from Justice Timothy Minnema of the province’s Superior Court. Barring an appeal by the province’s Attorney General, the revamped legislation must create a framework of inspection […] Read more
Who will inspect livestock welfare complaints?
Restructuring at OSPCA casts doubt on future of livestock inspections. Here are some potential outcomes
OSPCA gets $5.75 million annually through the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, specifically for investigation services. This funding supports a call centre for complaints/concerns, officer training, and the operation of the officers in the field. There are about 75 officers across the province. Representatives from Ontario’s livestock commodity groups will meet in early […] Read more
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