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News in a Flash
March - April 2021
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Ag-gag laws moving ahead provincially and federally
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An alarming precedent is being set in Canada as more ag-gag laws appear to be moving ahead both provincially and federally.
At the provincial level, Manitoba has announced it is moving forward with amendments to its Petty Trespasses Act, the Occupiers Liability Act, and the Animal Diseases Act.
Following are a couple of noteworthy points about these changes:
- There is no “false pretences” language targeting undercover investigations in the same way that Ontario’s and Alberta’s legislation does. This could change, however.
- The legislation prohibits “interfering or interacting” with farmed animals in transport and “biosecurity zones”. This would be a problem for activists who bear witness.
At the federal level, Bill C-205 passed second reading in the House of Commons. It received 178 votes in favour, and 155 against. It will now go to the House’s agriculture committee for further review.
We’ll continue to follow the ag-gag issue and keep you posted.
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Ag-gag challenged in court
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 Animal Justice has filed a lawsuit challenging Ontario’s ag-gag law.
The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, which was passed in 2020, essentially prevents any form of undercover investigation. Animal Justice is arguing that the law violates Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms because it prevents free expression. Specifically, it “interferes with the ability of people to gather information and publicly protest—activities at the core of what freedom of expression protects”.
CCFA is among the organizations that voiced opposition to the law at public hearings held by the Ontario government before the law was passed.
The outcome of this lawsuit could set an important precedent for other provinces that have either passed similar legislation—such as Alberta—or are considering it.
Learn more about the law here.
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Dairy Farmers' decision on palm oil demonstrates power of consumer advocacy
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For decades, dairy farmers in Canada and other countries around the world have fed cows palmitic acid in their feed. This palm additive helps fatten up their food supply so they produce more milk.
Over the past year, consumers expressed concern when they noticed the consistency of butter was harder. The reason: palm oil. Farmers were using more of it in an attempt to boost butter production to meet higher lockdown-driven demand.
Canadian consumers were not happy to find out that palm oil—the harvest of which devastates tropical forests and wildlife—was being used in butter. The ensuing Buttergate controversy has now prompted the Dairy Farmers of Canada to advise Canadian farmers not to use palm additives. Research is currently underway to find alternatives.
The reversal demonstrates the power of consumer opinion to change an industry—even one as powerful as Big Dairy. In the words of food industry analyst Sylvan Charlebois: “[Buttergate] simply points to a deep-rooted problem the dairy industry has had for a very long time without acknowledging it. Starting with the lack of transparency. For the most part, dairy regulates itself which is why dairy processors have little to say about the quality of ingredients they lawfully must buy. The focus of dairy research needs to change. Most of it has to do with increasing productivity and genetics at farmgate. Dairy research will need to address the disconnect we have between animal science, how we feed animals, and how these practices impact the quality of dairy products and human health over time.”
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England & Wales to ban live exports to Europe & killing male dairy calves
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England and Wales will become the first countries in Europe to ban live animal exports to Europe, and UK farmers have until the end of 2021 to prove they are no longer killing male dairy calves.
The Guardian reports that 6,400 animals were exported to Europe for slaughter in 2018. Animals travel in crowded and sometimes dangerous conditions that cause injury and death. While export rules could not be changed while England was part of the EU, now that it has separated, it can set its own regulations. Unfortunately the ban does not include chickens; hopefully there is an opportunity to change that in the future. As an aside, some sources have credited Carrie Symonds, the partner of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, for being a driving force behind the ban: Symonds is a patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, which is a longtime supporter of the ban.
Canada exported over 24 million live animals in 2017 alone. Most went to the U.S. The Canadian practice of shipping live horses to Japan for consumption has been particularly criticized. As more countries ban live exports, countries like Canada will come under increasing pressure to do the same.
The Guardian also reports that an estimated 60,000 of the UK’s bull calves are being killed a few days after birth: The reduced demand for veal has made it cheaper for farmers to kill many of the animals rather than raise them. Now, however, with the increased use of sexed semen, farmers can significantly lower the number of male calves born. By the end of this year, dairy farms producing 95 percent of the UK’s milk supply will be required by law to “have written breeding and management policies in place and maintain data on all births and deaths”.
These are two huge steps forward in the global effort to improve farm animal welfare. They will help set the bar higher for other countries, encouraging them to follow suit.
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CCFA has been mentioned in a recent Huffington Post article on Megan and Harry’s decision to keep rescued hens.
The article points out the plight of battery hens, and efforts to rehome and rehabilitate them to save them from slaughter after they’re “spent” and no longer lay enough eggs.
Read the article here.
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Donors in Action is a new feature in News in a Flash where we focus on a CCFA donor who is going above and beyond to help farm animals live better lives. This inaugural post focuses on one of our monthly donors, Una, who lives in Alberta. Here’s her story in her own words:
I live on a rural acreage in Alberta and my husband had always wanted chickens for their eggs. In October 2020, a colleague who had some chickens gave us a rooster who we nam ed Reggie, and a hen who we named Henrietta, along with six chicks. We had already put up a chicken coop outside, but didn’t get the chicken run done in time for the onset of our Alberta winter shortly after. It was too cold outside for the small chicks, so my husband modified one of my horse stalls into a coop with coop heaters to keep the birds warm and safe.
Through the winter, we’ve let them out into the barn alleyway twice a day for some exercise. Three of the chicks have turned out to be hens (Amber, Hawk, and Banty) and three are roosters (Rufus, Rebus, and Ned). When we had minus-30 weather for two weeks, we had the five horses in the barn as well. The chickens were free to roam around while I fed the horses and cleaned out their stalls twice a day.
I am really enjoying having the chickens — they have individual personalities and are fun to watch. I am vegan so we will not be eating the chickens, but my husband will be eating the eggs if left in the nest.
My experience has increased my resolve to continue to advocate for improved farm animal welfare and my heart breaks for those who suffer in silence.
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ACTIVISTS IN ACTION:
Kismet Creek Farm
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The past few years have been busy ones for Raelle Schoenrock: In 2014 she moved from British Columbia to Manitoba to be with her then-fiancé Karl; in 2015 they married; and by 2017 they’d had a baby and formally registered and opened their farm sanctuary—which already was home to many animals they’d been rescuing for several years. Here is Raelle’s story of how it all came about, in her words:
My earliest memory of wanting to one day have a safe haven for unloved and abandoned animals was at the age of 10. I was talking to my mom about what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I told her I was going to be a veterinarian. I said I would have a big rescue ranch, with my house and my vet hospital, and take care of animals every day. If there were ones that were homeless or that people didn't want anymore or were being mean to, then I would keep them. We both remember this so clearly, especially the part where I firmly stated I would have a blonde daughter, but no husband because I didn't need one. That still makes my family laugh to this day.
After high school I went to college to become a veterinary technician, choosing that over vet school because it was a much shorter program and would result in far less student debt! I was eager to get out into the workforce and help animals. Fast-forward almost 15 years and I met the man who would reignite my forgotten childhood dream of having my own farm rescue.
Karl and I were introduced by mutual friends in an Irish pub on St. Patrick's Day in 2013, and we hit it off immediately. He told me about his father's beautiful acreage, with its forests and fields and meandering creek—and how, growing up, their family farm had always been the hub of their rural neighborhood; the place everyone was welcome and where all the holiday events and summer bonfires took place. Karl dreamed of one day taking over the property, but didn't want to raise beef cattle the way his father did. Instead, he pictured more of a small hobby farm where children could be outdoors and connect with animals, playing together.
Hearing him speak reminded me of my lifelong love of the countryside and my passion for animal rescue, and we joked about how great it would be if I could just take over his dad's farm and fill it with animals that needed saving. I knew of places like Edgar's Mission, The Gentle Barn, and Farm Sanctuary, and it was exciting to think I could do that work too. Tiny problem though: The Schoenrocks' property was in Manitoba, and Karl and I both lived on Vancouver Island. We also barely knew each other! But unbeknownst to us, fate had planted a seed, and by May 2014 we were engaged and setting up a homestead on that 80-acre farm just south of Steinbach. Animals started to arrive. Some we saved from livestock auctions, others showed up or were given to us, and before we knew it, we had unofficially started the first farm sanctuary in the province. It was a tremendous amount of work and expense, but we loved it from day one.
In the beginning of 2016, we began to get serious about our combined vision and made plans to open our unique farm to the public. Word about our work had been spreading on social media, and people wer e eager to come and meet our rescues. We could charge admission fees and sell merchandise, thereby generating revenue that would allow me to save far more animals than we could on our own, and extroverted Karl would thrive guiding tours. It was a win-win. We came up with the name Kismet Creek Farm, and set out to secure municipal approval, bank financing, and all the necessary construction permits. That process took far longer than we anticipated, but in July 2017 Kismet Creek Farm finally opened its gates, and we've welcomed thousands of happy visitors every year since.
We are currently home to nearly 100 residents, covering a variety different species of traditionally farmed animals, including pigs, cattle, horses, chickens, turkeys, ducks, miniature donkeys, goats, sheep, alpacas, and more. Everyone who arrives here stays for the rest of their natural life; they each have a name, a story, and a personality. It's a joy to share these wonderful creatures with our visitors, and witness firsthand the moments of connection that happen. Even though Manitoba is an agricultural province, many people have never had the opportunity to pet a cow or cuddle a sheep. They are constantly surprised at how similar farmed animals are to their own pets, once given a chance to meet in a loving, safe environment. Interactions with humans only happen if the animal chooses it and is comfortable; their emotional well-being is always our top priority.
Sanctuaries like ours help to open hearts and minds, and gently inspire more compassionate lifestyle choices. We've heard from countless people that a visit here started them on the path to vegetarianism or veganism, and that always fills me with joy. We are very proud of how far we've come since we first started, but we are always striving to do better and find ways to continue being a force of positive change for animals in need.
To learn more about Kismet Creek Farm, purchase their merchandise, or to donate, visit https://kismetcreekfarm.ca/
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TAKE ACTION: Help shape new program on plant-based nutrition
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The University of Guelph is looking at launching a certificate-based program on plant-based nutrition, and is inviting people to provide their input. There's a brief survey that takes 3 - 5 minutes to complete.
Take the survey here.
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