Approximately 20 attendees gathered at the Jack Graham Community Centre in Bristol on Feb. 27 for the Beef Cattle Production Evening: Animal Health and Welfare. This event was the . . .

latest edition of the Rendez-vous agroalimentaires de l’Outaouais, a series of information sessions organized by the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ). The events are an opportunity for agricultural producers to hear from industry experts on the best management practices for various sectors. The evening featured four presentations related to animal health and welfare of beef cattle.

After an introduction by Jacques Desjardins, from the Shawville MAPAQ office, the first speaker was Dr. Jean-Francois St-Louis, a local veterinarian based in the Shawville area. Dr. St-Louis spoke regarding some of the recent changes to Canadian laws on the care and handling of beef cattle, following a 5-year review by the National Farm Animal Care Council. Some of the points covered in his presentation included the fundamental obligation of animal care, animal welfare standards for farm employees, transport regulations for cattle, and acceptable methods of humane euthanasia.

Additionally, he provided details of a new MAPAQ initiative wherein animal producers may take advantage of a free 3 hour on-farm veterinary consultation once per year, to help farms conform with the legal obligations of animal care.

The next speaker was Lamine Nyam Mohaman, an animal welfare inspector with MAPAQ. His presentation focused on the legality of animal care in Quebec and outlined what farmers should expect during a MAPAQ inspection. Due to an increase in animal welfare activism in recent years, the Quebec Government has established new protocols for inspectors to provide a clear legal framework surrounding the treatment of livestock on Quebec farms. Some of the consequences of non-compliance with these animal welfare laws may result in animal seizure, fines, imprisonment and a ban from keeping animals.

Following a short break for refreshments, a presentation was given by Nathalie Coté, from les Producteurs bovins du Quebec. This presentation explained the roles of different levels of government in animal welfare legislation, as well as the links between animal welfare and the environment. These include the federal governments role in regulating transport and slaughter of livestock and enaction of the criminal code of Canada, the provincial government’s animal welfare and safety act, as well as law enforcement and guidance for animal handling.

In addition she talked about the MAPAQ’s role in inspection and filing of offences, and the Agricultural Operation Regulation which regulates environmental management, specifically in the areas of waste storage and waterway protection. She also spoke regarding the recent increase in on-farm animal welfare protests and activism, and indicated what actions farmers can take if their operations are targeted by protestors.

The evening concluded with a presentation from Jacques Desjardins, in which he detailed the availability of financial assistance for farmers through MAPAQ, the results of a recent survey on raising calves, and details of transport regulations which have recently come into effect. The next event of the Rendez-vous agroalimentaires de l’Outaouais will be a Sheep Information Evening, scheduled for March 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jack Graham Community Centre in Bristol.

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