Home
News
Alberta pig producers prioritise animal welfare
Alberta's pork producers are placing a high priority
on the proper care and handling of pigs during transportation across the
country.
Chair of Alberta Pork, Herman Simons, emphasised the importance of all
participants in the food production chain's role (farmer, truck driver and
processor) of ensuring that "pigs arrive at their destination in good, healthy
condition, free from injury."
In response to recent concerns from the World Society for the Protection of
Animals (WSPA) concerning long-haul transport of animals from Alberta to Hawaii,
Alberta Pork issued the statement concerning animal welfare during
transportation.
Simons highlights that the Canadian pig industry works together with the
government and other stakeholders to draw up regulations and guidelines for the
transportation of pigs. "Any mistreatment of animals needs to be investigated
and steps must be taken to prevent future occurrences."
Measures
taken
Alberta Pork is a founding member of Alberta Farm Animal Care
(AFAC) which promotes responsible, humane animal care. Alberta Pork and AFAC
have set-up a training programme for livestock transporters known as 'The
Certified Livestock Transporter (CLT)' which focuses on the humane and safe
relocation of livestock.
In addition, Alberta Pork has developed and delivered other industry tools
including the Humane Handling Guidelines for Swine and Canadian Codes of
Practice for Transportation.
Alberta Pork is a partner in a multi-million dollar research project at the
Prairie Swine Centre in Saskatchewan on the effects of handling procedures and
transport vehicle design on animal welfare and meat quality of pigs
Regarding the case of the animals exported to Hawaii, "we will use the facts
that emerge from the investigation as part of our ongoing commitments to improve
animal handling," says Simons.
More information on practices and regulations governing the transportation of
livestock is available at Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC): www.afac.ab.ca.
Related website:
• Alberta Pork
For
the latest pig news, subscribe here
Editor PigProgress
To comment, login here
Or register to be able to comment.