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2003 |
AFAC Update & Annual General Meeting 2003 April 4, 2003 ... The livestock industry in Alberta continues to take positive action when it comes to improving animal welfare and enhancing communication to the public. That was the message delivered at the Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) Update and AGM, held in Red Deer, March 27, 2003. More than 100 people attended including a broad cross section of the livestock, research, enforcement, processor and retail representatives. Through AFAC, the livestock industry supports projects, training, reports and research — all of which target improving animal handling and well-being. "We have always said that the public wants reassurance that livestock are well cared for throughout their lifetime. But, the driving force of AFAC’s efforts is the animals," said Susan Church, AFAC Manager. "Our confined livestock systems will continue to be the subject of ‘activists’ attacks. We must be prepared to demonstrate our humane and responsible practices and step forward and fix what needs fixing, based on good science." "Egg producers are committed to the well-being and humane treatment of their birds and we are ready to prove it," Susan Gal, General Manager of Alberta Egg Producers told the audience. She said the egg industry has developed an animal care component for its on-farm Start Clean – Stay Clean Program. "Our existing on-farm food safety program already addresses a number of animal welfare issues and we have auditors going on-farm. It is logical to add other elements from our new voluntary Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Poultry –Layers. We completed a pilot with Alberta producers, made adjustments and plan a Canada-wide pilot for April—a first for Canada," she said. "The link between a foreign animal disease outbreak and animal welfare cannot be ignored," said Matt Taylor, Executive Director of the Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC). He highlighted two recent studies that spell out the massive costs and loss of animal life should Canada experience a Foot and Mouth disease outbreak. "The export focus of red meat production in Canada places us at risk of a catastrophic loss unless adequate preparations are made. Contingency plans must include a welfare slaughter and humane disposal policy. No such policy exists in Canada today. CAHC hopes to change that through the Canadian Animal Health Emergency Management Strategy to commence this spring," he said. In reviewing Alberta’s livestock protection services, Morris Airey, Director of Enforcement for the Alberta SPCA, said, "Our seven Peace Officers, located in Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Red Deer and Strathmore, have to deal with the 3 to 5 percent of the rural population that need to improve how they look after their animals." One concern resulting from the recent drought and high feed costs is that some animals appear to be in a weakened condition due to lack of segregation. He urged producers to segregate their less competitive animals from the stronger ones to ensure they are properly fed and cared for. Drs. John Church, Al Schafer and Nigel Cook, all working with the Alberta Canada Livestock Welfare Research Partnership, highlighted the results of research on humane spent hen disposal, bison dehorning and non-invasive stress measurement. Newly approved projects include research on furnished cages and alternative sow housing comparisons. "All projects," said Dr. Church, Unit Leader, Livestock Welfare, AAFRD, "proceed in direct consultation with industry and focus on the economics of animal welfare. The projects demonstrate the industry and government’s strong support of animal welfare related research." Contact: Susan Church, Manager
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