The economics of animal welfare

Back in the early 1990s, when University of Manitoba animal scientist Laurie Connor first oversaw local research into hoop-housing systems for hogs, animal welfare wasn’t really even on the public radar. The key questions of the day were whether keeping pigs outdoors through a Prairie winter compromised production efficiency. Connor told a seminar last week

Stall-free pork coming to McDonald’s menu

Amove by fast-food giant McDonald’s to have its U.S. pork suppliers phase out sow gestation stalls has drawn praise from animal rights groups, but questions remain about the impact it will have on Canadian producers. “This is huge. That a major corporation has made this move is really very significant,” said Winnipeg Humane Society CEO


Third-largest U.S. hogproducer accused of abuse

The humane society has accused two of the largest American pork producers of abuse by confining sows in cages during pregnancy. In a video on the humane society website, sows can be seen chewing the metal bars of their gestation crates and struggling to stand up. Some are scratched, bleeding or even dead. “When it

Doing it right on the trapline

About 25 would-be trappers young and old were on hand at the local Legion Hall for a hands-on trapper education course last week. In one corner, two men were busy learning how to flesh beaver pelts over their knees with a sharp knife, and on display on long tables were tools of the trade, from


Germany to seek EU animal welfare label on meat

Germany will press the European Union to introduce a label on meat saying it came from humanely raised farm animals, said German Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner. The move would be part of a new German government program to improve farm animal welfare, she said. “Transparency changes buying behaviour and then the production processes and manufacturing

Farmers And Public Co-Operating On Animal Welfare Concerns

Canadian farmers have avoided conflicts with animal rights activists seen in other countries by co-operating with humane societies and scientists in adopting proper treatment for their livestock and poultry, says a representative of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. Geoff Urton, animal welfare manager for the B.C. SPCA, says the agriculture community has fully supported



EU Softens Ban On Eggs From Battery Hens

An EU ban on the sale of eggs from battery chickens to consumers will go ahead as planned from Jan. 1, 2012, but producers may be free to sell non-compliant eggs to domestic processors, the bloc s consumer affairs chief said Oct. 5. The commission does not intend to postpone the deadline of the ban.


Using Anti-Inlammatory Drugs To Reduce Pain In Cattle

With the advent of the increasing consciousness in animal welfare, any products which can relieve pain, decrease inflammation and reduce fever are a welcome addition to the repertoire of veterinarians. They also may have a place in controlling post-surgical pain or inflammation such as with castration or dehorning. With pain/inflammation/fever controlled, there is less stress,

Letters – for Sep. 15, 2011

One small step towards marketing freedom Farmers will finally be allowed the marketing freedom they have long been denied. The monopoly powers of the CWB will soon be revoked and it will either be an optional marketing entity available to farmers or it will cease to exist. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has held fast to