More than 500 responses have been received so far for an animal welfare survey undertaken by Alberta Farm Animal Care, and responses are being solicited until Oct. 31.
AFAC is doing the survey on behalf of the Alberta government and plans to submit an initial report by Dec. 31. A complete report is expected to be delivered in March.
“There’s a great interest in participating, and people are wanting to let us know what they’re doing and their thoughts on animal welfare in Alberta,” said AFAC executive director Annemarie Pedersen.
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“Animal welfare has become such an important topic for consumers, and therefore for producers and for the industry as a whole. It’s a discussion that we need to have, and I think that the government recognizes that there’s a great deal of value in knowing where we are, where we’ve been, where we’re going and where the gaps are.”
AFAC has also organized focus groups across the province, the last of which is scheduled for Oct. 25 at Lakeland College in Vermilion.
Extension co-ordinator Melissa Moggy is collecting and analyzing the data from the focus groups and surveys. Most survey responses have come from individuals, although input is also sought from livestock groups, veterinarians and agricultural students with an interest in the sector.
Moggy said the survey has four broad sections: policies and standards; research; communication, education and extension; and assurance programs.
Moggy encouraged producers to do the survey, regardless of how many animals they have or what type of stock.
It can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/8HFBYW2.
