Ontario farmers care about their animals. Farm animal owners and farm organizations endorse the humane treatment of all animals: livestock, poultry, equine, domestic pets and wildlife. Farmers uphold high standards of care of their animals in alignment with accepted codes of practice and normal farming activities. The health, welfare, safety, and comfort of animals remain a top priority for Ontario’s farming sector, reflecting their ongoing dedication to responsible animal stewardship.
The PAWS Act keeps farmers and our entire industry accountable and responsible for the care and protection of farm animals in Ontario. As farmers, we welcome this legislation to protect animals with stiff penalties and zero tolerance for animal abuse and neglect.
The PAWS Act implements a system headed by a Chief Animal Welfare Inspector and includes trained animal welfare inspectors. Established in regulation, every person who owns or has custody or care of an animal must comply with the standards of care and administrative requirements. Certain exemptions apply for agricultural activities carried on in accordance with accepted practices of agricultural animal care, management or husbandry. No person shall cause or permit an animal to be in distress, or knowingly or recklessly cause an animal to be exposed to an undue risk of distress, subject to certain exemptions.
Some of the key issues that OFA engages on to support animal care include:
Shortage of Rural Veterinarians – Veterinarians play a critical role, promoting the health and welfare of animals, and playing a crucial role in maintaining a healthy and safe food supply. However, access to veterinarians and veterinary services can be limited in rural and Northern Ontario. Lack of veterinary services can be detrimental to rural communities, and leave farm animals, and ultimately the food system at risk.
Biosecurity – Movement between barns and farm properties can introduce new diseases and pests which can have a significant and widespread negative impact. An individual or group entering farms or farm buildings, handling animals, or moving between barns and farm properties without observing biosecurity protocols puts the health of animals, the safety and security of food, and the livelihood of farms at risk. The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020protects Ontario farm animals, farms, farmers and their families, agri-food employees, and the safety of the entire food supply by addressing the ongoing threat posed by trespassing and from unauthorized interactions with farm animals.
Antibiotic Use – Antimicrobials play a critical role in maintaining the health of both humans and animals, and in treatment to control and prevent the spread of disease to other livestock and humans. Over- and misuse of antimicrobials in human and animal medicine can contribute to resistance. Prudent and responsible use is essential to ensure antimicrobials remain an available and effective tool in the treatment of humans and animals. Efficient and timely access to prescriptions would help to ensure animal health and welfare is not compromised, and a sustainable livelihood for Ontario farmers.
OFA Position
OFA firmly believes in the humane treatment of all animals, including farmed livestock and poultry. OFA is committed to working with Animal Welfare Services and the Ministry of the Solicitor General to identify policy or process improvements under the PAWS Act to strengthen the protection of farm animal welfare in Ontario.
OFA believes that timely access to appropriate veterinary care, services, and medications in rural and Northern Ontario is critical to the health and welfare of livestock, and contributes to food security, income generation, job creation, and economic growth. OFA advocates the importance of focusing on distributed economic development to help rural communities attract and retain qualified medical professionals, including veterinary professionals, and to grow the agri-food sector.
OFA believes in protecting livestock and poultry, agri-food employees, and the entire food system from risks created by trespassers who enter places where farm animals live, or from unauthorized interactions with animals on premises or in motorized transport vehicles.
OFA believes greater investment is needed to enable the use of electronic prescriptions where a veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists for medically-important antimicrobials.
