Annual Reports

2002

- Program Highlights
- AGM
- Into the Next Decade
- Awards of Distinction

AFAC Into the Next Decade

Several converging issues and actions will increase and sharpen the focus on farm animal welfare in the next decade. These Future Directions were prepared in 2001 for AFAC’s planning purposes.

Increased attention on farm animal welfare

1. Marketplace demand on suppliers for animal welfare standards.
   The mandatory animal welfare standards of McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s reflect the changing attitudes of society. The future will see these protocols being adapted by all major food chains – retail and food service, with a unified verification/auditing program.
2. Consumer demand for assurance of humane treatment.
   The industry must acknowledge this consumer need to know and consumer influence on future practices. We must ensure that any changes made are based on science, not emotion and misinformation. Engaging in dialogue, (not preaching), with the urban public is key. “Keeping quiet is an admission of guilt” – Lee Hart, Country Guide.
   
3. Animal rights groups are becoming increasingly vocal in the popular media. Frank, organized responses must be ready.
4. Bill C-15b (now C-10b) Cruelty to Animals debate reflects society’s shift in attitude.
5. International trade demands.
   Although not presently a high priority in World Trade Organization discussions, the EU and Japan have asked that animal welfare issues be addressed. In AFAC’s report on EU Farm Animal Welfare Concerns (pdf file) it was noted:
   • Farm animal welfare is an increasingly important, rapidly changing, public policy issue in Europe – driven in part be social pressure and the increasing distance between consumers and producers.
   • The EU Council of Agriculture Ministers recently announced farm animal welfare as 1 of 3 priorities. This is in response to ‘a near panic over mad-cow disease, popular resistance to genetically modified foods and rising concern about factory farming and animal welfare (which) have helped strip farming of its romantic rural image.’
6. Livestock population expansion will be in intensive, confined systems.
   The industry is described, by those outside the industry, as ‘factory-farming’, controlled by corporate interests, who are motivated by profit and utilizing housing systems that are harming the animals and the environment. The growing human population and their diverse values significantly effect5s food export potential. The cost of welfare-enriched systems must be factored in.
7. Research developments in housing, animal behavior knowledge and welfare assessment.
   Research will be directed to welfare issues that effect farmed animals and in particular areas having serious economic consequences and socioeconomic impact; including husbandry practices, disease detection, invasive procedures and environment (housing, air quality, behavioral enrichment).
8. The impact of biotechnology on livestock welfare.
   Bio-engineered livestock may bring human health and environmental benefits. The effect on animal well-being is hard to predict – but it will be an issue.
9. Antibiotic usage and its impact on animal health and welfare.
   The pressure to eliminate/reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock production due to a perceived link to human health will impact on livestock welfare.
10. Communication with front line enforcement agencies.
    Several agencies are involved with enforcing animal neglect and cruelty laws. Working with these groups to document problems and identify solutions is critical to a progressive industry approach to improving farm animal welfare. Within AFAC, this communication is underway but it must improve, trust must increase and the agreed-to-standard must be consistent.
11. Federal government recognition that farm animal welfare is part of sustainable agriculture.
    • Currently, very little attention and virtually no resources have been dedicated to farm animal welfare. Yet, the federal Minister of Agriculture receives more public letters on this issue than any other.
    • AFAC believes that in the future the livestock industry will be expected to respond, collectively, to national livestock welfare issues.
12. Quality Assurance programs (and on-farm programs) to include animal welfare standards.
    To-date, QA programs have focused only on food safety. Dr. Temple Grandin has repeatedly stated that animal welfare must also be included in QA programs and that a HACCP approach to measuring must be adopted. She successfully convinced McDonald’s USA to take this approach. We must expect the same to happen in Canada. See AFAC Summer Update.
13. Impact of major diseases (FAD’s) on livestock welfare.
    Foreign animal disease outbreaks cause pain and suffering for animals. Quarantines and other restrictions can negatively impact non-inflicted animals. Consumers are highly sensitive to the welfare of the animals, as well as concerned about disease transfer.
14. Producer’s readiness to improve animal welfare and adopt new science-based management practices.
    Alberta producers, more aware of the economic and ethical impacts of animal welfare, will drive a new generation of livestock management.