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Humane Treatment of Livestock at Alberta Auction Markets

OldDog/NewTricks

Well-known member
We just received this from the USDA

Humane Treatment of Livestock at Alberta Auction Markets
May 12, 2008

Background:
On May 7th, the Humane Society of the United States (HSIS) released video footage of downer cattle being ignored or mistreated at auction markets in Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas. Specifically, the video shows:
• downed cows abandoned outside of an auction barn.
• a two-day-old calf unable to stand and left to die.
HSUS has called on the USDA to impose penalties for inhumane handling, require immediate humane euthanasia of all non-ambulatory livestock and disallow slaughter for consumption of any downed animals. NOTE: In Canada such penalties are already in place.

The Situation in Alberta:

Laws and Enforcement in Place in Canada and Alberta.
• By law, only fit animals can be loaded for transport. Animals that go down during transit must not be unloaded. They must be euthanized on the trailer.
• The transportation of livestock is enforced by CFIA inspectors located at the Canadian border, auction markets and at federal meat plants.
• Alberta SPCA peace officers and RCMP Livestock Investigators also do random inspections at Alberta auction markets.
• All Livestock Identification Service (LIS) Inspectors (formerly called brand inspectors) are mandated to report any animal welfare cases that may presented for sale at an auction market to the Alberta SPCA.
• In Alberta, regulations prohibit the sale of young weaned livestock. (Less than 30 days old for horses and 8 days old for cattle, sheep.)

Standards in Place and Industry Expectations
• Animals that are not fit for transport should be humanely euthanized on the farm.
• In cooperation with AFAC, Alberta’s beef, dairy, sheep and swine industries have each developed Humane Handling Guidelines - Standards for the care of unfit animals, to assist producers, truckers, and auction market staff to determine whether livestock are fit for loading. . Inspectors (federally and provincially) use the Humane Handling Guidelines as a reference tool.

Ethical Action by Auction Markets: What happens in Alberta if an unfit/non-ambulatory animal is dropped off after hours at an Alberta auction market?
• As soon as possible, the auction market staff euthanizes the unfit/non-ambulatory animal and makes arrangements for proper disposal. The producer is billed for the costs that can be up to $200. The Alberta SPCA may be notified.
• If an animal is injured on site and is deemed unfit for sale, the animal is euthanized.
• If an animal does go through the sales ring and is not sold due to its poor condition (still ambulatory), the producer is contacted and given the option to have the animal euthanized by the auction market staff.

Humane Treatment a Priority
• The Alberta Auction Markets Association, together with the Alberta livestock industry, believes there is no priority higher than ensuring the well-being of livestock throughout their life time. We DO NOT tolerate neglect and any undue suffering.
 
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