AR-News: (CA) Farmed Animal Transport: Investigation; Alberta Review

[Mary Finelli]

2 items:


{1}  UNDERBELLY OF CANADIAN LIVESTOCK TRANSPORT EXPOSED IN SHOCKING NEW 
VIDEO
For Immediate Release, March 2, 2004

Montreal - Video footage taken by a Montreal woman who trailed three trucks 
hauling cattle and pigs from Alberta to slaughterhouses in Quebec, Oregon 
and California reveals the punishing distances and horrific conditions 
Canada’s farm animals must endure en route to slaughter.

The video documents the inadequacy of Canadian legislation in protecting 
farm animal welfare during long distance transport.  In Europe such scenes 
are considered completely illegal and would result in severe penalties.

Among the shocking incidents painstakingly documented on video by 
investigator, Lesley Moffat, of the European animal welfare organization, 
Animals’ Angels ( http://www.animals-angels.de ), include:

· Cattle trucked for 67 hours from Alberta to a Quebec slaughterhouse with 
water provided only once.
· Pigs trucked 24 hours straight from Alberta to an Oregon slaughterhouse in 
36-degree heat without water.
· Pigs trucked 35 hours straight from Alberta to California without water in 
38-degree heat and heavy stench of ammonia.
· Injured and lame animals being transported.
· A cow incorrectly stunned and hoisted by one leg at the Quebec 
slaughterhouse while still conscious.
· Pigs being electric prodded on their face and bled on top of still 
conscious ones waiting their turn in the slaughter pen.

According to Lesley Moffat: “Forcing farm animals to endure these horrendous 
journeys is unnecessary, animals should be slaughtered near to the farm of 
rearing, and instead the meat transported to where it is needed” and 
“millions of farm animals are victims of Canada’s weak animal-transport laws 
and ineffective enforcement.”

Copies of the video have been provided to the Hon. Bob Speller, Canada’s 
Minister of Agriculture, Gord Doonan, of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency 
and Susan Church of the Alberta Farm Animal Care Association.

Video footage is available in Beta and CD format.  Additional footage of 
slaughterhouses is available on request.

Media Contacts:
· Lesley Moffat, Investigator, Animals’ Angels, (514) 779-8210 or 011 49 170 
4122 557 (in Canada until March 06, 2004).
· Stephanie Brown, Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals (CCFA Toronto), (416) 
920-4984.
· Debra Probert, Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals (CCFA Vancouver), (604) 
266-9744.

– 30 –

Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals    213 – 33 Hazelton Avenue, Toronto, 
Ontario, Canada M5R 2E3
1-866-303-2232  Local & Fax 604-266-9749   Website: http://www.humanefood.ca 
  Email:  info at humanefood.ca




{2}  LIVESTOCK TRANSPORTATION REPORT AND WEB PAGE
Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC), March 2004
www.afac.ab.ca



At the end of 2002, AFAC completed a review of livestock transportation in 
Alberta. We identified that there were about 480 commercial livestock trucks 
on the road per working day in Alberta (preborder closure.) The Report 
emphasizes the many aspects of the relocation process, highlights 
achievements, and lists recommendations for action for continued improvement 
of livestock while in transit. I delayed releasing this Report due to the 
BSE situation and the drastic change in the movement of livestock. It is now 
available on the newly created web page 
http://www.afac.ab.ca/careinfo/transport/transport.htm  This page pulls 
together the many ways the industry addresses livestock transportation.

_________________________________________________________________
Create a Job Alert on MSN Careers and enter for a chance to win $1000! 
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/promo/kaday.htm?siteid=CBMSN_1K&sc_extcmp=JS_JASweep_MSNHotm2