Source: Beef Farmers of Ontario
Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) is aware of video footage that has been circulating, which was taken recently at a multi-species farm in Durham Region. The images contained in the video are concerning, and do not reflect normal or accepted farm practices or standards of care for cattle. Animal welfare is of the utmost importance to BFO and its members. As such, and with respect to this active situation, BFO has offered assistance through our Animal Care Advisor (ACA) service to the Chief Veterinarian of Ontario, Durham Regional Police, and the Solicitor General’s Office.
The service is designed to ensure that beef cattle are well cared for, and also to provide support to farmers in caring for their animals in accordance with industry-approved standards of care outlined in the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle. BFO has trained Animal Care Advisors (ACAs) who cover all parts of the province in response to calls regarding the care of beef cattle in Ontario. ACAs are available to assist animal welfare enforcement agents in their investigations into complaints involving the treatment of beef cattle in Ontario.
BFO supports the National Farm Animal Care Council’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle as the minimum acceptable standard of animal care for beef cattle in Ontario. BFO expects all Ontario beef farmers to take the utmost care and responsibility for protecting and upholding the welfare of their animals entrusted with their care. BFO does not support farmers who do not fulfill this responsibility to their animals and the public.
