Earlier today, BC Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick
announced that the province will officially incorporate the National Dairy Code
of Practice into the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in an effort to
improve the welfare of dairy cows. The Dairy Code of Practice—created by the
National Farm Animal Care Council—sets forth certain minimum, generally
accepted standards of care to ensure the humane handling and treatment of
Canada’s dairy cows, including providing non-slip flooring, adequate bedding,
and proper veterinary care, and prohibiting unnecessary mutilations and
malicious and intentional acts of cruelty.
announced that the province will officially incorporate the National Dairy Code
of Practice into the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in an effort to
improve the welfare of dairy cows. The Dairy Code of Practice—created by the
National Farm Animal Care Council—sets forth certain minimum, generally
accepted standards of care to ensure the humane handling and treatment of
Canada’s dairy cows, including providing non-slip flooring, adequate bedding,
and proper veterinary care, and prohibiting unnecessary mutilations and
malicious and intentional acts of cruelty.
Now that the
Dairy Code of Practice has been incorporated into BC’s provincial animal
welfare regulations, it can be used to facilitate the prosecution of some of the most egregious acts of cruelty and neglect in the dairy industry.
Dairy Code of Practice has been incorporated into BC’s provincial animal
welfare regulations, it can be used to facilitate the prosecution of some of the most egregious acts of cruelty and neglect in the dairy industry.
Today’s announcement follows Mercy For Animals’ release of
an undercover investigation at Chiliwack Cattle Sales in Chilliwack, BC—the
largest dairy factory farm in the country—which documented workers beating,
kicking, and punching animals, using chains and tractors to hoist cows into the
air, poking and squeezing festering wounds, and punching bulls in the
testicles.
an undercover investigation at Chiliwack Cattle Sales in Chilliwack, BC—the
largest dairy factory farm in the country—which documented workers beating,
kicking, and punching animals, using chains and tractors to hoist cows into the
air, poking and squeezing festering wounds, and punching bulls in the
testicles.
You can watch that investigation here:
Mercy For Animals’ investigation uncovering sadistic and
malicious animal abuse at Chiliwack Cattle Sales exposed the glaring
deficiencies in BC’s farm animal protection laws. Today’s announcement marks
important progress in the protection of cows who are all too often abused on
dairy factory farms.
malicious animal abuse at Chiliwack Cattle Sales exposed the glaring
deficiencies in BC’s farm animal protection laws. Today’s announcement marks
important progress in the protection of cows who are all too often abused on
dairy factory farms.
Mercy For Animals praises Minister Letnick for incorporating the
Dairy Code of Practice into British Columbia law, and hopes that this
meaningful action inspires other provinces to follow suit in increasing the
legal protections granted to farm animals across Canada. Now we must work
toward providing greater governmental oversight of Canadian dairy factory farms
to ensure that these laws are actually followed and enforced.
Dairy Code of Practice into British Columbia law, and hopes that this
meaningful action inspires other provinces to follow suit in increasing the
legal protections granted to farm animals across Canada. Now we must work
toward providing greater governmental oversight of Canadian dairy factory farms
to ensure that these laws are actually followed and enforced.
The best way to help safeguard cows from abuse is to simply
leave dairy out of your diet. For tips and delicious dairy-free alternatives,
visit ChooseVeg.com.
leave dairy out of your diet. For tips and delicious dairy-free alternatives,
visit ChooseVeg.com.
