December 2013

Dear friend,

As the New Year fast approaches we reflect on accomplishments made in the Canadian farming industry in 2013. The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) oversaw completion of five new Codes of Practice: equine, beef cattle, sheep, farmed fox and mink. Significant progress was also made on a new Code for Pigs, set to be published in early 2014.

The SPCA Certified program continues to grow, taking on two new, organic, large-scale beef cattle operations in 2013: Lasser Ranches (> 500 head) and Beaver Meadows (introduced in this issue of FarmSense). Want to know how our SPCA Certified standards measure up to the Codes? Read on!

Also featured this month are new, festive holiday recipes using SPCA Certified foods and a look into the future of cage-free egg production in Canada.

From all of us in the BC SPCA Farm Animal department, we wish you (and your animals) peace, happiness, and the 5 Freedoms this holiday season!

Sincerely,

The BC SPCA Farm Animal Welfare Team

P.S. You can help spread awareness about the BC SPCA Farm Animal Welfare department and our many programs. Forward this email to friends and colleagues.

New videos and fact sheets on horse health and welfare

Do you know about the new code of care for horses in Canada? The BC SPCA has a new video series featuring veterinary specialist Dr. Bettina Bobsien, who represented the BC SPCA on the Equine Code Development Committee.

Find out about the industry-supported process behind the Equine Code as well as nutrition, health management, breeding, housing, humane training and other requirements included in the new Equine Code. Fact sheets on horse care are also available.  

The future of cage-free egg production in Canada

Is there a demand for cage-free eggs? Will consumers pay more for these eggs? How is hen care and welfare different in a cage-free system compared to a conventional battery cage system?

Two Canadian cage-free egg farmers, a poultry welfare expert and SPCA Certified program staff discuss why keeping hens out of cages can be better for farmers, hens, consumers and the environment.

I want to learn more!

Are SPCA Certified farm animal welfare standards up to Code?

In Canada, farmers are expected to follow a set of farm animal care guidelines referred to as the Codes of Practice. The Codes outline minimum requirements and recommended practices for farm animal welfare in Canada. Adherence to the Codes is not yet consistently monitored across the country.

Launched in 2002, the SPCA Certified program is an independent, third-party farm animal welfare certification system. SPCA Certified standards use the Codes of Practice as a baseline level of care for farm animals and then incorporate practical, evidence-based improvements to farm animal welfare. In other words, all SPCA Certified standards meet or exceed the Codes of Practice.

Learn the specifics of how SPCA Certified measures up to the Codes by visiting our Resources for Farmers page.

SPCA Certified welcomes Beaver Meadows to the program!

Beaver Meadows, home of Natural Pastures Beef, is a third generation family-run beef cattle operation located on Vancouver Island.

In addition to joining the SPCA Certified Program, Beaver Meadows is Certified Organic, producing 100% grass fed, and grass finished Angus beef cattle.

We welcome Beaver Meadows to the SPCA Certified Program! Find out where to buy their products.

Next steps critical as Canada builds roadmap for farm animal welfare

Major building blocks are now in place to advance Canada in managing the rising interest and expectations around farm animal welfare, according to a press release from the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) following its national conference in Ottawa this fall.

BC SPCA representatives attended the NFACC conference to provide perspectives on behalf of Canada’s animal welfare movement. Read more in this interview with the BC SPCA’s Geoff Urton and explore Newstream’s FarmAnimalCare community for more news on farm animal care across Canada.

Festive Holiday Recipes courtesy of SPCA Certified  

Tired of the same holiday dishes year after year? Why not try something new!

Wonderful SPCA Certified holiday-inspired recipes, like Christmas Tree salad, gingerbread cookies and holiday eggnog, are perfect for potlucks, a light meal, or for family feasts.

Check out our festive appetizers, entrees and desserts. Enjoy!

Show Your Support for Animals by participating in National Cupcake Day

Bake cupcakes to raise money and improve the lives of animals!

National Cupcake Day registration opens January 6^th, 2014. Show your support for farm animal welfare by baking your cupcakes using only humanely produced SPCA Certified eggs.

 SPCA Certified goes online!

This fall the SPCA Certified program officially launched its online web portal! Farmers interested in becoming certified can now register online, and currently certified farmers can log in at any time to update their farm information. The electronic system will allow for improved data management, resulting less paperwork and better customer relationships; three essential components of a rapidly growing certification program!

Learn more about registering your farm.