The Rural Voice, 1983-06, Page 6Humane Livestock Production Standards
Producers and animal welfarists seek common ground
by Bev Brown
The next time you go out to your barn
to feed or clean your livestock, you
should realize that you are not alone in
your concern for the care of your
animals. Across Canada there are thous-
ands of people who believe they have a
moral obligation to make sure that all
animals are properly cared for, are living
in appropriate surroundings and are free
from pain or suffering. These persons
have been labelled as "animal welfarists"
and they would like to come into your
barn to ensure that no animal is being
deprived of the five basic freedoms (See
History of Welfare Movement).
Because this is not possible, they are
forming lobby groups to pressure gov-
ernments into passing legislation to
ensure the proper care of all animals in
all stages of their lives.
This was the topic of a one -day
conference held at the University of
Guelph. Lecturers were Professor Frank
Hurnik, Animal Behaviorist with the
Dept. of Animal & Poultry Science and
Professor Hugh Lehman, Dept. of Philo-
sophy, University of Guelph.
About 60 people --- vets, livestock
producers and animal welfarists ---
listened to a series of lectures on philo-
sophical considerations of animal rights,
behavioral indicators of well-being and
suffering, and principles of animal care.
Every livestock producer in Ontario
should have been there.
Any farmer who engages in any form of
animal husbandry would be wise to take
these people seriously, learn the history
and purpose of the animal welfare
movement, read their books and search
for the common ground which will show
any reasonable person that a good
livestock producer is as interested and
concerned about the comfort and happi-
ness of his animals as an animal welfare
person. Farmers should avoid getting
polarized into a "We" and "They"
position which will only lead to rules and
regulations being legislated which could
be better accomplished by an education
program.
Voluntary codes of practice for animal
husbandry are being developed by mar-
keting boards for swine, egg and broiler
producers which will define the broad
principles of livestock production as well
as the specifics of handling individual
animals. (See below)_
Voluntary Code of Practice
Canadian farmers started to work on
voluntary codes of practice promoting
good sound management for animal
husbandry long before the animal welfare
movement started to expand into this
country. Whereas these codes of practice
have not yet been finalized, they contain
similar rules:
(1) Everybody who is qualified to work
with animals should be able to take moral
responsibility to avoid unnecessary suf-
fering.
(2) Attendants must be properly in-
structed prior to starting work in a
livestock production unit.
(3) Attendant must be very consistent in
his daily actions, not only what he does
but also what time he does it.
(4) Movement of equipment and atten-
dant must be smooth and moderately
paced without creating undue excite-
ment. Attendant must prevent excessive
disturbance around animals.
(5) Both vocal and physical communi-
cation between attendant and animals is
very important. It increases the confi-
dence of the animals and allows them to
relax.
(6) Attendants should dress the same
each day and let animals know he is
coming by using the same signal every
day.
(7) Animals must be supervised daily.
(8) Animals must have a reasonable
amount of illumination. e.g. minimal
amount of at least six hours of conti-
nuous light and at least six hours of
continuous dark.
(9) Health care for injured animals must
be immediate. Cost is no excuse for
delay.
(10) Emergency situations: producer has
the obligation to have an emergency plan
and everyone employed must know the
procedures. The loss of hydro power will
not be accepted as an excuse for animal
discomfort.
(11) Group size must enable social order
to be established.
(12) Devices used for animals must be
approved quality.
PG. 4 THE RURAL VOICE, JUNE 1983