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AFAC Highlights 2000 AFAC Member & Industry Contact Communication contacts with AFAC members, the ALERT Resource Team and industry contacts included several mail outs of brochures, reports, program notices, info releases and individual enquiries. The AFAC website (www.afac.ab.ca) was expanded and is continually upgraded. Classroom Resources: Phase I and II The Elementary Resource package was marketed at Teachers’ Conventions in Calgary, Grande Prairie and Red Deer, and at Free and Easy in Edmonton. These were all booked in conjunction with Ag in the Classroom. We received teacher orders all year, as a result. In 2000, AFAC received sufficient funding from CARDF and industry ($70,000) to proceed with Phase II - Junior and Senior High School Classroom Resources. I CARE Program AFAC’s I CARE program and interactive display was set up at 10 major fairs and exhibition events throughout the province, reaching large numbers of children and adults with a clear message. Funding for this was made available through CARDF until March 31. New submissions were made for funding. Ag Initiatives has now funded this valuable outreach project with $40,000. Animal Welfare & Transportation Research Project AFAC received $200,000, from the AAFRD Industry Development Fund, livestock-related research. The board decided to direct the funds to transportation research, an update of our 1994 Humane Transportation Review and industry-applied projects. All this funding must be matched. It is to be used over the next 4 years. The Alberta SPCA agreed to contribute a further $80,000 to this fund. Bill C-17; Criminal Code Changes to Animal Cruelty AFAC solicited legal input to the proposed federal legislative changes and prepared a position that was adopted by our counterpart organizations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The federal Minister of Agriculture later put forth a position based on this position. Several other national groups requested the background work and position statement for their groups. Several of AFAC's key projects are funded by the Alberta Livestock Protection System (ALPS) program grant, together with industry support. Livestock Care Conference 2000, Jan. 12, 2000 – Animal Welfare: the pressures, the legislation, the realities, (ALPS, AAFRD and Alberta SPCA funded). The conference featured Dr. Temple Grandin, who highlighted her involvement with the new McDonald’s animal welfare audits and protocol program and Dr. John Webster, who explained the developments in the EU. Media releases were issued immediately following the event to capitalize on extended coverage. ALERT Line (ALPS and industry funded) AFAC continues to operate the 1-800-506-2273 line to respond to animal care concerns. 40 calls (compared to 44 in 1999, 35 in 1998, 37 in 1997 and 46 in 1996) were received and handled by the volunteer Resource Team members throughout the province. Farm Animal Welfare News (ALPS and other funding) AFAC sought shared funding from a national animal welfare foundation to produce a report style newsletter that focuses on relevant research, issues and initiatives in farm animal welfare. The investigative approach to the first edition was well received, world wide, thanks to the fact that we have it on our web site. The second edition is underway. ALPS Workshop & Farm Tours AFAC organized a workshop in March. It highlighted the accomplishments of ALPS and featured a round table discussion with Alberta SPCA Peace Officers to learn more about what they face on the front lines. A two-day tour was organized in conjunction with the SPCA Peace Officers. Benchmarking and Data Collection (ALPS funded) Preliminary data for 1998 on the animal welfare performance of Alberta’s livestock industry was completed. The inconsistency of the data sources made it difficult to interpret so no effort was made to release the information. 1999 data is being collected and efforts are underway to incorporate more consistent reporting. Alberta SPCA Enforcement Liaison (ALPS funded) AFAC received and circulated, to respective livestock members, the 66 Warning Letters and Prosecution Summaries sent out by Alberta SPCA Peace Officers. These letters provided AFAC board members with an indication of the type and frequency of concerns regarding unfit farm animals at auction markets and provincial meat plants. AFAC maintains a database system to tabulate and cross-reference these letters. We are not aware that this level of monitoring, exchange of information with SPCA enforcement officers or tracking system exists in any other jurisdiction in Canada. Humane Handling Guidelines for Livestock (ALPS and industry funded) As a direct result of information gathered from the warning letters, 2 of AFAC’s founding members (Alberta Pork and Alberta Milk Producers) are developing, with AFAC, specific guidelines and a communication strategy to improve the handling of unfit and cull livestock . This action demonstrates the leadership of Alberta’s livestock industries regarding animal welfare. Education and Training (ALPS and industry funded) AFAC’s Livestock Emergency Response Course is in demand through out the province. It was featured on RDTV. Jennifer Woods, the presenter, also did a customized program for the Alberta Disaster Conference. All RCMP detachments were contacted about the course. Tim O’Byrne continues to offer the Cattle Hauling and Handling Course in Alberta. With AFAC staff, he helped develop and pilot the Hog Hauling and Handling Course manual and video, in partnership with Alberta Pork. Also, he is working with AFAC, the Alberta Cattle Commission and Green Certificate to deliver cattle handling and animal welfare courses to high school students.
Issue Research and Reports (ALPS and industry funded) The three reports completed in 1999, are now available on the AFAC website. The purpose of these reports is to provide the industry with a situational analysis of animal welfare concerns. They are not intended to be scientific studies. They are also intended to help clarify problems in order to lead to solutions. The Handling of Cull Dairy Cows in Alberta is underway.
Livestock Industry and Public Communication (ALPS funded) Six media releases were issued nationally by AFAC in 2000. AFAC staff attended, presented and or set up the AFAC display 12 at livestock industry AGM’s and conferences. Presentations were made at a further 8 events, including 4-H events.
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