NEWS RELEASE
Diverse audience unites at farm animal care conference
OTTAWA, Oct. 12, 2011 /CNW/ - A strong commitment to responsible farm animal care brought together a diverse group of stakeholders at the National Farm Animal Care Conference in Ottawa on October 5th and 6th. More than 130 attendees – from farmers and veterinarians to animal protection advocates and foodservice representatives – participated in the event hosted by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), the lead organization for collaborative animal care initiatives in Canada.
The event themed, “Advancing Animal Care and Addressing Market Expectations”, featured an impressive speaker line-up of agriculture and food leaders from across the food chain.
“This conference will do more than just provide a broad array of perspectives,” said Robin Horel, president and CEO of Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council (CPEPC) and Vice Chair of NFACC in his opening remarks. “We will be setting the course, demonstrating disciplined action that has, and will, make positive changes to the well-being of farm animals, and enhance communication to the public on farm animal care.”
Jackie Wepruk, NFACC general manager, shared the advances on Canada’s Codes of Practice, which serve as the national understanding of farm animal care requirements and recommended best practices. According to Wepruk, eight Codes are currently being renewed – an unprecedented number that signals the industry’s strong commitment to farm animal care and welfare. She challenged the group: “If we value the Code development process, we need to work together to find a way to make sure it is sustainable beyond 2013, which is the end of funding for this project.”
Susie Miller, director general, sector development and analysis directorate with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, highlighted the government’s perspective of NFACC. She underscored NFACC’s leadership role in the coordinated approach, promoting responsible farm animal care. Miller also cited NFACC as a forum to share information, track domestic and international developments and a primary reference group for consultations and referrals. “We look to NFACC for the coordination of the development and maintenance of the Codes of Practice, to ensure a credible process, and for the Animal Care Assessment Model (ACAM), which is to promote standardized assessment and implementation of the Codes,” said Miller.
The Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) was the first organization to renew its Code of Practice and will test pilot the ACAM for NFACC. “In the dairy business, we know very clearly that it’s a win-win situation for animal welfare. A happy cow is a cow that gives fewer problems to me, the farmer, gives more production to the processor who’s looking for milk, and it’s a better outlook for the animal,” said Ron Maynard, DFC representative.
Geoff Urton, BC SPCA’s Animal Welfare Manager and national lead on farm animal initiatives for the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, also lent support for the Codes and the development of on-farm assessment programs. “The Codes aren’t an end-point, they’re a mid-point. The Codes are providing, with the foundation we have through NFACC, an excellent frame. But we need to keep building on that frame to actually provide the assurance that animals are being treated according to acceptable standards on farms,” said Urton. “I would really like to congratulate the industry associations who have made steps with that already.”
David Smith, National VP of Retail Strategy and Sustainability with Sobey’s Inc. brought a retail perspective to the group. With increased focus on accountability and transparency in his industry, Smith endorses the NFACC approach, specifically the diverse, multi-stakeholder involvement and a standardized approach. “We have an opportunity to be proactive with animal welfare. I am encouraged by NFACC and the ACAM. We’d like to keep improving on the good stories that are out there to be told,” said Smith.
“It’s touching to see this group, and the dedication and quality of people who have been attracted to this issue,” said Dr. David Fraser, animal welfare professor, University of British Columbia, addressing attendees in his closing remarks for the conference. He praised the new Code development process: “I like its emphasis on outcome-based, environment-based and process-based measures. I think that is a good balance that hasn’t always been captured in processes elsewhere and other times.” He also shared a concern about NFACC’s future and a hope. “The thought that this organization is like a contract employee on a fixed term should strike terror into all of our hearts, and I hope we will all go back to our respective corners determined to give this organization the future it deserves.”
Attendees also heard from research scientists, government officials, producers and speakers bringing an international perspective. More information on the conference, including complete speaker presentations, is available at www.nfacc.ca/conferences.
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For more information contact:
Jackie Wepruk
NFACC General Manager
403.783.4066
nfacc@xplornet.com
Funding for the Codes of Practice is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Flexibility Fund (Addressing Domestic and International Market Expectations Relative to Farm Animal Welfare), as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
