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OFA plans bigger moves to reform OSPCA Act (2011)
By Debra Pretty-Straathof, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has advocated for changes to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Act for several years. The issue has not gone away and with increased concerns from Ontario farmers, OFA is putting a bigger push on collaborating with industry to move this issue to the front burner with politicians.
A resolution was passed at the recent OFA annual general meeting addressing the regulation that governs on-farm animal care. Ontario’s animal agricultural industry is regulated by the OSPCA Act that ensures farmers treat their animals with the respect and care they deserve. OFA has already identified the need to amend this Act, and made a number of specific recommendations to our provincial government in 2008. The recent member resolution noted that instances of unauthorized entrance to farms without the permission of the landowner are becoming an increasing concern to farmers.
The resolution was passed with full support from members directing OFA to work with commodity organizations and industry representatives to make further recommendations to government to amend the OSPCA Act. The resolution calls for the management of farm animal welfare by experienced professionals who are accountable to the public, famers and the legislature. Definitions of animal conditions such as distress also need to be clearly defined so officials can better judge the need for intervention. All of these recommendations, and those expected to come from further collaboration with industry, will advocate for much-needed updates to the legislation. This act needs reform, not unlike those already reformed in other provinces to ensure professionalism, fairness and accountability.
Farmers know the consequences of their actions and that day to day activities directly impact
animals and farm production. We are held accountable by regulations, ourselves as farm business owners and the well-being of animals that rely on us every day of the year. OFA believes farmers are being unfairly and unjustly targeted in some cases and are vulnerable to unwarranted farm inspections and even harassment. The OSPCA Act must be critically evaluated and updated to modernize and improve the rules affecting our farm businesses.
As farmers, we know that our success comes from healthy, productive animals. At OFA we’re pushing to ensure our government acknowledges our commitment to the care we provide our animals, and the food we produce for consumers. Advocating for regulatory reform with the OSPCA Act is a top priority for OFA. And working together with industry to bring an even stronger voice to policy makers is how we are ramping up our efforts on your behalf.
Comments
Keith Gilbert says on December 13, 2011 at 9:05 PM
If there is a problem, [and there may be some] they should be dealt with by people who understand and work with that type of animal, [ farmers and veterinarians].
Jack Rigby says on December 13, 2011 at 9:34 PM
The Federation is not going far enough. The OSPCA has clearly shown that they are not capable of doing this job in a fair and reasonable way. They have over stepped their jurisdiction and harrassed farmers in an unjust and unreasonable way many times. It is time that the OSPCA are completely removed from their position of authority. After all they are not a government employee and no non- govertnment authority should be given the powers this organization has enjoyed and abused a number of times. They do not have the qualifications to carry out this job.
Debra Campbell says on December 13, 2011 at 9:45 PM
I have recently been the focus of 2 reports of not feeding my animals. In South Dundas by Bonnie Bishop of Spca. This woman has reduced me to tears on each occaision.
I have been recently separated and must keep my horses on 36 acres without a barn. I carry a bale a day for each horse and a min. of 5 gallons a day for each horse. She is saying I'm not providing the min. requirements as outlined. Even if the horses had a barn to go into they would choose not to. But I'm being harassed to provide more.
I'm not in aposition to move them so must do the best for them where they are. Is there any help to convince Bonnie Bishop that the horses are OK.
Sincerely Debra Campbell
Laura Mclean says on December 14, 2011 at 1:59 AM
I beleive animals should have a good life and be comfortable , but this has been seen to go to far and also hurt farmers with unjustifiable accusations from poeple that know nothing about farming
Charlie R says on December 14, 2011 at 8:24 AM
I hope that OFA succeeds in this mission. Too many good farmers have been targetted for the OSPCA to gain nothing more than headlines and slander of the Agricultural industry. Vegans, for example, seem to be of the belief that ALL livestock farming is cruel, regardless of health of the animals.
Furthermore, these 'people' going farm to farm, illegally trespassing without knowledge or consent of the owner, could be spreading diseases.
These OSPCA people need to be trained in proper animal husbandry at Guelph, or under supervision of vets, not just hired 'staff' that deems an animal in distress when there is no distress.
Harlie H says on December 14, 2011 at 12:25 PM
I totally agree with Charlie R. There will be times,God forbid, that intervention is necessary, but the persons enforcing these rules have to be from a farm background and fully trained in the care of animals.
Keith Martin says on December 14, 2011 at 7:11 PM
It is just not right that they(OSPCA untrained an animal husbandry) have more rights to trespass on private farm property than the police do.
Sharon Ladd says on December 15, 2011 at 6:44 AM
My veterinarian respects that he can carry disease that could jeopardize my livestock's health so he puts on clean boots etc. when entering my farm . I feel safe when he enters, but I feel someone with no qualifications in veterinarian health degrees should not be entering and recommending or condeming farmers . My livestock are free to enter their barns when they please and sometimes they do stand out in the rain and snow it is their choice.
Sharon Weitzel says on December 15, 2011 at 8:36 AM
OFA is a member of OFAC and I would like to hear their recommendations as well. I worked with this organization in the past and have found them to be clear an professional.
liz lewis says on December 15, 2011 at 5:11 PM
Farm animals will always need a spokesperson.
Twice we had the humane society visit us because of a passer-by who felt the horses needed horse blankets on, and needed a shelter even though they were brought in every night. The humane society personnel were very nice and said they often had complaints from city dwellers even over cattle being turned out in a field, and it was their job to follow up all complaints.
We do need someone to ensure the safety of the animals but it is more reasonable to conclude that safety and care of farm animals would be better governed by a farm organization, rather than one which primarily cares for dogs, cats and small animals.
Iris Vandeligt says on December 16, 2011 at 7:38 PM
OSPCA officials should be required to have animal husbandry training and have some qualifications with large animals before being allowed to investigate cruelty allegations on farms. They need government funding not "fund raising" to pay the wages of these investigators as well.
Wendell Palmer says on January 7, 2012 at 12:35 AM
Legislated accountability is absolutely essential for the OSPCA.
Another essential is financial support so OSPCA agents do not feel obligated to steal easily saleable animals, or build up a huge veterinary and care expense on the first day in their "care" ($500 or so seems normal) making it impossible or impractical to get the animal back, or offer to drop criminal charges for a large, $2000-3000, donation.
Since the OSPCA is beyond our control because they do, it seems, have the legislated authority to lie (When has an OSPCA agent been charged with purgery for lying under oath?); to steal/embezzel (It's called "rescuing" when they do it.); to ransom...etc.I'll bet their blue suits and close cooperation on raids where a mean dog may be involved give them immunity for most traffic offences and other minor offences.
Except for the blissfully ignorant masses of shelter workers, low ranking OSPCA employees and ethical agents , meanness and evil behavior seems to be encouraged in the development of OSPCA agents.
There is a way to almost instantly right these wrongs ... (next time here)
V. Bothwell says on January 22, 2012 at 1:56 PM
Wendell has it right on the nose. As a former OSPCA agent, I have seen all this in action. OSPCA agents are all volunteers, and it is not easy to come by enough of these. The question is, how can they be replaced by well-trained agents, if these do not have a salary. Do we want a paid bureaucracy to replace these, and will this result in a better scenario for both producers and animals?
john clark says on February 21, 2012 at 6:36 PM
the ospca are gov't funded whether you believe it or not. lost our livestock not caring for them. destroyed everyone in my family. all my docs are going to be put on-line. you can't fight them, more rights than police.
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