23 Better Farming | December 2024 Follow us on @BetterFarmingON 1-866-267-6255 CALL TO ACCESS FREE, UNLIMITED COUNSELLING Stress on the farm Family or relationships Financial pressure Anxiety or depression Managing your workload Substance use Loneliness or isolation Supporting loved ones Processing traumatic events FREE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR ONTARIO FARMERS, FARM WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FARMERWELLNESSINITIATIVE.CA SCAN THE BAR CODE TO ADD THE LINE TO YOUR CONTACTS Animal Welfare Calls Brent Ross, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Solicitor General, clarifies that animal welfare in agriculture is assessed separately from other animals under the act. “AWS enforces the PAWS Act so that animals in homes, zoos, aquariums and farms are treated humanely and in accordance with the law and best agricultural practices. Any inspection performed by AWS is taken seriously,” says Ross. “It should also be noted that while farm animals are subject to the act, an exemption exists for farmers because an inspector can also supplement their inspection by applying generally accepted agricultural practices to their assessment of the animals and the conditions in which they live.” While being questioned on the quality of care producers provide for their livestock can be unnerving, knowing what to expect and how to respond can help farmers and inspectors work together. What to expect An inspection may occur if a complaint is submitted to AWS. When a complaint is called in to the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre (OAPCC) and is relevant to AWS, inspectors may attend the farm to ensure that farmers meet acceptable animal care and husbandry standards. Ross says that not all calls will be determined to fall into AWS jurisdiction. “When a concern is reported, the OAPCC will file an incident ticket and refer the caller to the appropriate local contact such as Animal Welfare Services, the local police service of jurisdiction, or municipal by-law enforcement. The OAPCC may also flag the ticket for further investigation by appropriate authorities,” says Ross. “Animal Welfare Inspectors will follow up on all calls that fall within AWS’s purview.” He adds that the inspectors may involve other professionals to support their investigation. This could include a commodity group, which may pro-
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