Livestock operators warned about activists who believe animals should be free or trespass to take videos
CALGARY — A southern Alberta hog barn had an unwelcome visitor earlier this year, a stranger who tried to release pigs from the site.
It was a potentially dangerous situation, said Alberta Pork executive director Darcy Fitzgerald. He did not name the farm or location, but he said incidents of strangers at livestock operations are becoming more common.
In this case, RCMP laid charges and the SPCA was also involved, said Fitzgerald.
“We’ve had other people, suspicious vehicles, people being on property and their story just doesn’t quite go … and it’s happening more and more across Canada, different facilities,” said Fitzgerald.
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“We’re having to look at that and how do we beef up security. … We don’t want people getting hurt, and we’re all for the animals and the biosecurity for the animals too.”
Geraldine Auston, an agriculture management consultant with Ag & Food Exchange, also said more people were visiting farms with a goal of addressing animal welfare or animal rights issues.
She advised those at the Nov. 9 Alberta Pork annual general meeting to be more vigilant about security and less polite to strangers.
“Just don’t be so Canadian and friendly and farmer-like,” said Auston.
“Go and ask them why they’re there. And guess what, you don’t even have to be controversial about it, it’s like ‘hi, can I help you?’ … Sometimes people are just lost. Sometimes people are not there for the right reasons.”
She said owners of intensive livestock operations should discuss security with their employees so they know the protocol and will properly document and report security related incidents.
“Be mindful of your security. Keep your barns locked, and all your buildings and vehicles…. It’s just the way things are now. We’re seeing lots of activity that way. Know who is on your property at all times.”
Auston said she realizes locking doors, gates and vehicles is not standard practice at many farms, but that may have to change.
Calling police should be the first action if farmers see suspicious activity. Taking pictures and getting vehicle licence plate numbers might also be useful.
Auston told pork producers about an increase in people “keeping vigil” at livestock processing plants.
“Here, I think what we’re seeing is people that definitely believe in a certain ideology and a cause, and they just want it to be known how they see things. We’re seeing mainly the sort of more gentle approach, the vigils, the bearing witness,” Auston said in an interview.
She told pork producers that not every vegan is an animal activist and many people have genuine concerns or questions about food production that farmers can do a better job of answering.
Auston also said producers should pay attention to production practices and never do anything they would be ashamed to see in a video shown to the general public.
She suggested farmers walk around their own operations and take video themselves, then view it later to see if anything needs improvement. She also emphasized the need for rigorous hiring practices so employees know how to properly care for animals.
Fitzgerald said he believes it is impossible for producers to change the minds of people firmly dedicated to animal rights.
“There’s nothing we can do to change their minds or show them that we’re doing good things or anything else because that’s not the issue. They totally believe those animals should just be freed and let go.”
