The province is poised to assume responsibility for farmed animal welfare in BC, establishing a new division within the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food to take over from the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Policing of animal welfare, including that of farmed animals, has been the statutory responsibility of the …
animal welfare
Cedar Valley licence reinstated
An investigation by the BC Milk Marketing Board of Cedar Valley Farms in Abbotsford has resulted in the reinstatement of the farm’s production licence with several conditions. The licence was suspended October 27 following allegations that workers at the farm had abused animals, claims supported by video footage provided to the BC SPCA and subsequently …
Quick action on allegations
BC’s dairy industry took quick and decisive action last week against Cedar Valley Farms, an organic dairy in Abbotsford, following allegations of animal abuse. BC Milk Marketing Board circulated a note to industry on October 27 saying that it had suspended the farm’s licence following the receipt of information from the BC SPCA “regarding violations …
SlaughterRight training launched by ag ministry
VICTORIA – SlaughterRight is the province’s new, mandatory training program for on-farm meat plants following consolidation of meat inspection within the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. The agriculture ministry took over inspection of D and E class facilities December 1. Regional health authorities previously oversaw training and inspection. “[The ministry] is now implementing …
Activists plead not guilty
The four activists charged on several counts of break-and-enter and mischief at Excelsior Hog Farm in Abbotsford last year plead not guilty this week, forcing the case to trial. Amy Soranno, Jeff Rigear, Roy Sasano, and Nick Schafer see the trial as an opportunity to shine a light on how farms treat animals, and the …
Hog producers face changes to code of practice
ABBOTSFORD – BC’s pork producers insist they are committed to high standards of care for livestock even in the face of a cash crunch. The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) has proposed amendments to the codes of practice for the care and handling of pigs. “It’s changing the way pigs are housed,” says Jack …