Thank you.

Humane Canada is proud to be here speaking alongside our member, the oldest SPCA in Canada.

We represent humane societies and SPCAs across the country, many of which enforce animal protection law.

Humane Canada is not an activist organization, nor do we campaign to end animal agriculture, yet we are very concerned about the welfare of farmed animals. We work collaboratively with industry, including Dairy Farmers of Canada and the Canadian Pork Council, who are here today, as well as governments and other stakeholders at NFACC, the National Farm Animal Care Council, to improve standards of care for animals on farms.

Let me be clear that these standards are not legally binding in most of the country. The government is not inspecting farms to ensure they are meeting welfare standards. Violations of welfare standards and cruelty laws are brought to the attention of enforcement through complaints, often together with undercover evidence, because there is little transparency.

Why don't Canadians have trust in our system of animal agriculture? It's because of this lack of transparency and public oversight in the system. Rather than applying an approach that is a bit of a band-aid to bring new measures and harsh penalties to deter trespassing and whistle-blowing and to further diminish transparency, we feel that what is needed is increased transparency, accountability and oversight.

Ultimately, we need to address the root of the problem. It's not that people don't understand how animals are farmed; they understand that our current system of farming is highly problematic. The predominant system involves massive numbers of animals in a barn, and that cannot provide for natural living conditions for the animals. They cannot be easily tended to in a manner that allows for their good health and welfare.

Furthermore, the intensity and scale of animals pose serious risks for infectious disease susceptibility and transmission, as we have seen, tragically, with the avian influenza pandemic.

Given the serious disease risks, as well as climate, biodiversity and pollution crises, we urgently need to reimagine our system of food production in this country to one that provides good conditions for animals and is environmentally sustainable. Such a system that's in harmony with animals and that doesn't devalue the earth is also better for the psyche of those in the farming community. It is the UN-recognized One Health and One Welfare approach.

Public support is needed for those in the farming sector to transition to such a system in order to provide for their physical and mental health, well-being and good livelihood.

Thank you.

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