Farmer Sitting on a Bay of Hale on a Farm With His Pet Dog

Human and animal welfare closely linked: conference

International speakers visit Winnipeg to share research on animal welfare and human mental health

Healthy people take good care of animals they’re responsible for, whether they’re pets, or the farm’s livestock, but the reverse is also sadly true. Those who neglect the welfare needs of their animals, or who outrightly abuse an animal, often have serious psychological problems. A first-of-its kind conference held in Winnipeg Sept. 26 to 28



Layer hen rules fuelling scrutiny

Layer hen rules fuelling scrutiny

The National Farm Animal Care Council is the focus of a recent freedom of information request

The organization leading Canada’s development of humane livestock production is under the activist microscope. The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) was recently the focus of a request under the freedom of information legislation. The group says it suspects the move is related to its connection to guidelines for layer hens. The request relates to

Poultry care codes released

Poultry care codes released

The Canadian poultry codes of practice were developed by a committee that included animal welfare groups

Canadian chicken and turkey farmers now have a book to go by. The industry has released a set of care guidelines for their birds to help address consumer concerns about how poultry is produced. The codes of practice were developed under the auspices of the National Farm Animal Care Council by representatives of producer, veterinarian,


Editorial: A fine balance

Few would doubt the special nature of the agriculture industry. After all, it’s the only sector I can think of that rates its own census, and one of the very few which has its own federal and provincial governmental departments. There are programs such as AgriStability and provincial crop insurance and special dispensation in a

Animal rights bill under farm group scrutiny

The private member’s bill could criminalize legal and humane practices

A Toronto Liberal MP’s bill to expand animal anti-cruelty provisions in the Criminal Code is setting off alarm bells for agriculture organizations. They’re closely scrutinizing Nathaniel Erskine-Smith’s private member’s bill because of its potential to sideswipe livestock farming. The Beaches-East York MP has also been told by Bill Blair, the former Toronto police chief and


steaks

Humane beef move pushes Canadian beef off Earls menu

Beef groups say the move ignores the fact that the industry-wide 
standards in Canada are already equivalent

A move by the Earls restaurant chain to source “Certified Humane” beef from a Kansas supplier has kicked off a furor across the country. The move amounts to nothing but a marketing strategy and ignores that industry-led standards in Canada are equivalent or better, according to Brian Lemon, Manitoba Beef Producers’ recently appointed general manager.



CFIA veterinarian Max Popp speaking at the Manitoba Beef Producers annual general meeting in Brandon on Feb. 4.

Cattle producers warned to avoid transport violations

'Out of sight and out of mind' is the wrong attitude when shipping animals

Cattle producers should keep an extra-close eye on their animals’ condition before loading for transport, says a Canadian Food Inspection Agency veterinarian. “Cattle hide their pain so that they don’t look vulnerable to predators. Keep that in mind when monitoring your herd,” said Max Popp, CFIA animal health district veterinarian, western area operations. “The primary

cattle on a snowy pasture

New requirements in place to mitigate pain during specific procedures

Provincial extension veterinarian says the new Code of Practice requirements make 
calves easier to handle and typically allow faster recovery due to reduced stress levels

Changes to the National Beef Code of Practice, which took effect earlier this month, place new requirements on producers to provide pain control for dehorning and castration in cattle that are older than nine months. “A lot of producers do these procedures earlier on so it won’t have a huge impact on them, but for