(Reuters) – California was sued on Friday by the largest U.S. trade group for meat packers and processors, which wants to block enforcement of a voter-approved measure requiring farmers to provide more space for animals being raised for food. The North American Meat Institute, whose members include processors such as Tyson Foods and retailers including […] Read more
Tag Archives animal welfare
Improper sale of seized cattle sparks procedural change
Some cattle seized under animal protection laws in Saskatchewan last winter were sold in error. According to Livestock Services of Saskatchewan, which conducts brand inspections, three owners will be compensated after their animals were sold along with those owned by the person from whom they were seized. President Jason Pollock said a complex ownership structure […] Read more
Food firms rated on animal welfare
Global food companies are improving their approach to animal welfare. The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare assessed 150 companies in 23 countries and found in its seventh report that three quarters of those evaluated had shown improvement. The benchmark group is an independent body assessing farm animal welfare management and receives funding from Compassion […] Read more
‘Destined to fail’
OTTAWA — Disappointment and frustration over Canada’s new livestock transportation regulations came out loud and clear at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting. “It has created a regulation that industry can’t even begin to meet. I think it is destined to fail,” said Reg Schellenberg, co-chair of the CCA animal health committee. The association met […] Read more
CFIA inspectors investigate pig transportation video
The video of the pigs stopped in a truck at Kamloops was posted online by an animal rights advocacy group
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is reviewing a video posted online of pigs in apparent distress while being transported. The CFIA said in an email that it is investigating. Animal Justice, an animal rights advocacy group, posted the video of pigs in a truck stopped at Kamloops, B.C. It said the temperature was 32 C […] Read more
Heat stress requires extra animal care
Prevent heat stress by providing adequate water for outdoor dwellers and air movement for indoor dwellers
Dairy cattle and pigs breathe harder, beef cattle lie around and eat less, and all of them drink lots of water when temperatures rise above 25 C. Those physical responses aren’t surprising but the potential for heat stress in livestock should be monitored, according to veterinarians. Cooler nights are the saving grace for most western […] Read more
Sheep carcasses found in ditch
A north-central Alberta couple is calling for answers after they stumbled upon 15 sheep carcasses on a rural road near their community. Scott and Toni-Michelle Benteau found the sheep March 23 in Lamont County. Toni-Michelle said they were strewn across the side of Range Road 182 off Highway 16, about 65 kilometres east of Edmonton. […] Read more
Alta. veterinarians in uproar over legislative changes
Alberta veterinarians have taken issue with proposed provincial government legislative changes that they say were made without consultation and that they fear will negatively affect animal care and welfare. The changes include the option for veterinary practices to advertise their fees, a requirement that they disclose all fees before treating pets and that they acquire […] Read more
New bison code of practice good info for beef producers
Animal welfare is the underlying theme of Canada’s livestock codes of practice, and the recent bison update is no exception. It is a must read for bison producers and those contemplating getting into the business, but cattle producers would also benefit from reading it. The committee that developed the code comprised individuals involved in the […] Read more
Pig trial closes, the circus is over
So the trial, informally referred to as the “pig trial” has come to a close and the farming community leaves the courtroom with disappointment. Sort of. Rather than a one-sided legal win for animal rights activism, the verdict delivered in this mischief case actually supports Ontario farmers in a number of ways. Let’s start with […] Read more
