By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
A new deal has been signed between the Ontario Veal Association (OVA) and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPC) to join forces when investigating complains about animal welfare cases on veal farms. OVA represents veal producers in the province, while OSPC is a non-profit organization that investigates animal welfare cases.
“Working with the farming community is very important to us,” Connie Mallory, Ontario OSPCA Chief Inspector said in a release. “We are pleased to be working together with Ontario Veal to help animals in need and enhance Animal Welfare across the province.”
The two parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which will allow industry representatives to be present for farm calls with OSPCA. OVA and OSPCA also plan to offer collaborative education sessions (bi-annually) to share information about farm animal care and code of practice concerns. Under the agreement OVA will provide technical expertise to OSPCA in situations where animal care standards are lacking on a farm.
One of the key planks of the agreement includes information about reasonable notice when visiting a farm. For example, OSPCA has agreed to provide OVA with at least 48-hours-notice to visit a farm in situations where inadequate animal care is in question. However, OSPCA and OVA have said that rule is overridden in cases where it has been determined that livestock are in “immediate distress.”
The agreement aims to improve communication between OVA and SPCA relating to on-farm inspections, and work together to provide educational services to veal farms on proper care and management practices.