Alberta Beef Producers Animal Welfare Issues

1. Alberta Beef Producers Animal Welfare Issues January 28, 2008

2. Outline • What is Alberta Beef Producers? • Animal welfare in the beef industry • Transportation • Winter grazing

3. Alberta Beef Producers • A producer group representing Alberta’s beef industry • Started in late 1960’s (Alberta Cattle Commission) • Works closely with Canadian Cattlemen’s Association • Collects a $3 checkoff on cattle marketed in Alberta • Funds are used for promotion, marketing, research, and “advising government”

4. Structure • Producer delegates elected to represent geographic zones, sectors • Board of directors • Producer committees and staff work in dedicated areas • Sector specific issues • Communication – producers, society • Government affairs • Research, etc.

5. Promotion

6. North American Marketing

7. International Marketing

8. Other Activities • Research • Policy Development • Communication with public and producers

10. Animal Welfare • Society is changing • ~80% of Canada’s population is urban (> 10,000). • Small proportion of population is involved in primary agricultural production • Not intimately familiar with how food is produced - Pets are the main animal people are familiar with

11. Animal Welfare There is a spectrum of views, from • “No one has the right to question what I do with my animals”, to

12. Animal Welfare There is a spectrum of views, from • “No one has the right to question what I do with my animals”, to • “Humans have a responsibility to care for the animals that are under their control”, to

13. Animal Welfare There is a spectrum of views, from • “No one has the right to question what I do with my animals”, to • “Humans have a responsibility to care for the animals that are under their control”, to • “Animals should have the same rights as humans”

14. Cattle Producers • Recognize that well-treated animals are healthier, grow better, and have higher carcass value than mistreated animals. • Cattlemen take pride in a job well done. • “Good Commerce = Good Welfare” • The cattle industry is very visible • Ranches, feedlots, trucks

15. Transportation

16. Canadian Food Inspection Agency In Dec. 2005, the CFIA announced possible changes to Regulations pertaining to the “Transportation of Animals” (HofA Act) • 30 years old • New scientific information re: how animals are affected by transport • Society’s expectations have changed

17. Proposed changes • The CFIA proposed a number of changes to: • Loading density • Transport distances and times • Feed water and rest intervals • Hauling in cold temperatures

18. Implications • Increased transportation costs would affect the competitiveness of our industry • Costs are passed down through the chain

19. ABP’s response • Age of the reg’s doesn’t justify change • Good commerce = good welfare • Need Canadian-based science to justify that changes will improve animal welfare • Need to consider that changes to facility and trailer design, construction and suspension have improved animal welfare

20. Transport Benchmarking Study • Very little Canadian research (distances, climate, cattle type) • ABP initiated and co-funded a study by Ag. Canada to survey: • Loading densities, transport distances & times, feed water and rest breaks, trailer types, driver experience, animal condition, number of downers… in loads originating or leaving Alberta (also Ontario).

21. Current status • CFIA appears to recognize that not all the answers are known • Recognizes that truckers have considerable expertise • Recognizes that trucker training and experience is possibly the most important factor influencing animal welfare • Move to “Outcome-based” regs

22. The CFIA is in an Awkward Position • Has to somehow reconcile the views of industry, • with the views of animal rights groups, • and try to come up with something that everyone can live with

24. Winter Grazing • 1873: First cattle in Alberta • Turned loose to fend for themselves • Severe winters in 1886/87 and 1906/07 resulted in serious death losses • Led to major changes in how cattle are raised: shelter, stored feed, segregation of weaker stock

25. 2008 • High costs (e.g. fuel) and low prices (feedlot economics) have put cattlemen in a serious economic squeeze. • Off-farm jobs • Feed accounts for ~65% of production costs • Cost cutting measures usually involve improving the efficiency of feed production and use

27. Winter Grazing • Common and effective cost saving measure • Stubble, swath and bale grazing • Bring cattle to feed, not vice-versa • Cows spread their own manure • Cost savings (time, labor, equipment) • Benefits in terms of economic, lifestyle and pasture management

28. Important Considerations • Need to ensure: • Cows are in good BCS at the start • Feed test; is feed adequate? Supplementation? • Shelter is available • Control grazing • Segregate cattle • Water / snow • Plan B • Management decision • Pay attention to behavior and condition; low quality bale

29. Welfare issues • Cases of accidental or deliberate neglect or abuse do not play well in the media • These issues are quickly picked up and overblown by animal rights groups

30. SPCA Cases

31. 2006/07 SPCA Cases • Most were Red Deer north (heavy snow) • Main factors identified in 13 major investigations were: • Age-related 6 / 13 2. Absentee Owner/Caretaker 4 / 13 3. Inept management 2 / 13 4. Psychological Constraints 1 / 13

32. AFAC ALERT Line • Alberta Livestock Emergency Response Team • 1-800-506-2273 (toll free, confidential) • Calls re: welfare concerns • Caller questioned • If concern is reasonable, will be investigated • Beef producers in area • AFAC vet (Ray Fenton)

33. AFAC Alert Line • Opportunity for early intervention • Knowledgeable advice to help fix the problem before the problem escalates • If serious, case is turned over to the Alberta SPCA • Could result in prosecution under the Alberta Animal Protection Act

34. What does this mean? • Community-based • Industry funds help support the ALERT line • It is confidential • It is not a snitch-line • Use it if you have concerns • Small problems are easier to fix than big ones • Avoid a black eye for the industry