Checking references is paramount
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
Industry representatives are reminding all livestock producers to conduct thorough interviews with potential employees. This advice comes after an animal abuse video surfaced from a chicken farm in British Columbia on June 12. The filmed employees were from Elite Farm Services, a chicken-catching service.
“Make sure you know who you’re interviewing and follow-up with reference checks,” Kendra Keels, director of industry and producer development at Veal Farmers of Ontario, told Farms.com. “Because people who pose to get onto farms can tell a good story.”
Producers could go as far as requesting a criminal background check from potential employees if they feel it’s necessary, Keels said.
But trusting their own gut instincts can go a long way, too.
“If something doesn’t feel right, maybe (producers) should act on it,” she said.
Having employees sign an animal care code of conduct can help drive home the idea that animal husbandry is a crucial part of any livestock operation.
“By signing the document, (employees) promise not to commit any animal abuse,” Keels said. “And, if they see any (abuse), they are to report it to their superior immediately.”
The people who filmed the animal abuse on the B.C. farm aren’t exempt from scrutiny, according to Keels.
“They’re videotaping the abuse but they don’t report it to anybody,” Keels said. “It’s like they’re encouraging it. I think they are (guiltier).
“What’s the point of (these individuals) being there if they’re trying to improve animal welfare but don’t do anything when they see abuse?”
The video shows workers abusing broiler chickens.
Since its release, Chicken Farmers of Canada and the BC SPCA have condemned the actions, calling it “reprehensible” and “absolutely sickening” in their respective releases.
Sofina Foods, the company who hired the workers, also took a stance on the animal abuse cases, calling for the employees to be dismissed.
Elite Farm Services has fired five employees, according to a June 13 release.
“We are sickened with the footage and want to ensure all our suppliers and producers that this is not reflective of who we are, our fundamental beliefs or behaviour we accept from our employees,” Dwayne Dueck, president of Elite Farm Services, said in the statement.
The BC SPCA is compiling a report to potentially lay charges.
If convicted, the workers and companies involved could face a $75,000 fine and a maximum of five years in jail.