Enhanced livestock transportation fines

November 1, 2010 – Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) and Turkey Farmers of Canada (TFC) together support the increased administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) and enhanced enforcement of Regulations under the Health of Animals Act announced by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

November 1, 2010 – Chicken Farmers
of Canada (CFC) and Turkey Farmers of Canada (TFC) together support the
increased administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) and enhanced
enforcement of Regulations under the Health of Animals Act announced by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

On October 27, 2010, the Government of Canada increased the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) ability to impose fines for those who violate the Health of Animals act by mistreating and improperly transporting livestock.  Effective immediately, first time offenders can be fined up to a maximum of $10,000 through CFIA's AMPs.  The CFIA will also have the ability to look back into the past five years of the offender's history with the ability to increase fines by up to 50 per cent of the maximum fine for repeat offenders. 

The increased fines for
those who mistreat and improperly transport livestock, combined with the
augmented enforcement of Regulations, will help to ensure that animals
are given safe and humane transport.

Chicken and turkey farmers across Canada take their responsibilities seriously, by ensuring the safety and humane treatment of the birds in our care. We share these responsibilities with our industry partners throughout the agri-food chain, including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

"We have earned the trust of Canadians by continually implementing and improving food safety programs and animal care programs and best practices. We will continue to work together to research, assess and undertake new initiatives to provide the safest, healthiest and most humane environments possible," said David Fuller, Chair of CFC.

TFC Chair, Mark Davies, added: "The ultimate goal of all partners in animal agriculture, from breeder, to farmer, to inspector and processor, is to ensure that farm animals are treated humanely at every step and are healthy and free of injury upon arrival at the plant."

CFC and TFC remain committed to continuing to work with the CFIA and industry partners to update the Health of Animals Regulations governing poultry and livestock transportation, and to ensure that the Regulations are applied appropriately and consistently.

For more information on CFC's Animal Care Program and TFC's Flock Care Program, visit www.chicken.ca and www.turkeyfarmersofcanada.ca , respectively.