Don't downplay animal welfare concerns expert warns Thursday, March 31, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFF Some surveys might show that animal welfare ranks low in public concerns about food production, especially when compared to food safety.But an animal scientist with the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine says the issue is of greater importance to people and warns that efforts to downplay or dispute their concerns will only jeopardize trust. Speaking at the London Swine Conference on Thursday, associate professor of animal welfare Suzanne Millman said a 2007 survey of U.S. public opinion ranked animal well-being far lower than issues such as human health care and food safety.But in another part of the survey, which was commissioned by the American Farm Bureau, 95 per cent of the respondents agreed that it was important to them that farm animals were well cared for, 81 per cent agreed that the animals have roughly the same ability to feel pain and discomfort as people and 75 per cent were willing to vote on laws requiring farmers to treat their animals better.Millman says this survey and many others in the United States and elsewhere, indicate that people will put animals’ well-being before lower prices and want to see governments step in to regulate the treatment of farm animals.There already exist precedents where animals are treated as ‘honourary humans’ under U.S. law, she says, pointing to the 2006 Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act. The law requires any state wanting funding for emergency response to include the handling of animals in their emergency response plans.She notes a U.S. survey shows nearly 60 per cent of U.S. households have pets: “That’s where most people are going to make their judgements from.”What does this all mean to the pig producer?Millman says producers both in Canada and the United States can expect to encounter increased public pressure to abolish sow stalls and farrowing crates as well as castration and tail docking without analgesia.She urges producers to acknowledge the concerns and point out the ways the industry is trying to counter the specific issues. Suggestions include:• If questions arise about animal housing, point out the use of items provided to enrich the environment, such as balls and chains pigs can play with.• Do not permit animal abuse and cruelty, which is illegal.• If euthanasia is required, always behave as if the procedure is going to be shown on the evening news. Use procedures that are endorsed by recognized professional bodies.• Make sure you’re familiar with the animal cruelty and neglect provisions in national, provincial and local laws and make this information available to your staff. • Document your compliance with these standards and track the date and time of training provided to staff.• Train your staff on how to talk about animal care. BF On the road with risk management Commission yanks vineyard's licence
Be ready for your next flat tire Friday, May 30, 2025 By Braxten Breen Farms.com Intern The Andersen Hitches Rapid Jack is a three-in-one tool - a tire jack -- that can also be used as a post block or a wheel chock. Its main purpose is to help change tires on trailers, and this cool tool is made in the USA. It is an innovative Tire Jack... Read this article online
An Ontario Foodbelt? Two MPPs want to see it happen Friday, May 30, 2025 Ontario has a Greenbelt and a Whitebelt, and if two MPPs are successful with a piece of legislation the province’s future will include a Foodbelt. Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner (Guelph) and independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady (Haldimand-Norfolk) tabled Bill 21, the Protect Our... Read this article online
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation welcomes new board members Thursday, May 29, 2025 Two new board directors have joined the leadership of Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC). Mohamad Yaghi with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and Sonya Fiorini from Burnbrae Farms both fill appointed director positions on the LRIC board. Yaghi replaces Franco Naccarato from Meat and... Read this article online
Canadian Farm Income Sees Sharp Decline Thursday, May 29, 2025 In 2024, Canadian farmers experienced a significant financial setback, with realized net income dropping by $3.3 billion, or 25.9%, to $9.4 billion according to Statistics Canada. This marks the steepest percentage decrease since 2018. When cannabis is excluded, the drop stands at... Read this article online
Did you Know you can Experience IPM 2025 in the Comfort of Your RV? Thursday, May 29, 2025 The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) is making a grand return to Niagara this fall for the first time in nearly a century. Visitors can now stay close to the excitement by booking a spot at the official IPM 2025 RV Park. Located just steps away from the main action, the... Read this article online