Putting Farm Animal Welfare on the Agenda Project (2006-2008)

Public concern and interest in farm animal welfare continue to grow around the world. There is some excellent work being done to improve farm animal care. The challenge is to communicate that information to where it’s needed, to the farmers and veterinarians who work directly with the animals, right through to the consumer who is interested in knowing the facts on how animals are raised.

In agriculture, animal welfare issues are seldom on the agenda until there is a problem. This project aims to change that with a coordinated, proactive approach. Four provincial farm animal councils and the new national council are in place and working together. This project is truly a team effort, with each of the councils taking a role in the project, together with many other partners. The “Putting Farm Animal Welfare on the Agenda” project will take existing efforts and expand them to a larger reach with more resources across the country.

Project Objectives

1. Encourage dialogue on farm animal welfare research and issues with all stakeholders, including consumers.
   
2. Communicate the results of important animal welfare research in Canada throughout the agri-food sector.
   
3. Provide learning and training experiences and tools to measurably improve farm animal handling and care.

The project is divided into three major components, all contributing to a greater understanding of farm animal welfare research and issues facing the agriculture community in Canada. Here are some highlights:

1. Workshops and Speakers Bureau:
   • Developing a database of informative speakers on animal welfare topics from around the world.
     
   • Sponsorship for speakers on animal welfare available for new or existing meetings and events.
2. Communications:
   • Farmers & Veterinarians: newsletters, articles in trade publications, radio ads, www.livestockwelfare.com website
     
   • Public: displays and brochures available for public events with information on farm animal care
3. Farm Animal Handling Training:
   • Interactive training workshops for youth (4-H & agricultural college students)
     
   • Workshops and resources for livestock transporters

This was a three year project, 2006-2008.

Funding for this project was provided in part through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program. This is a collective outcome partnership with the Agricultural Adaptation Council in Ontario, the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council, the Saskatchewan Council for Community Development and the Alberta Agriculture and Food Council.

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