Crystal Mackay, Ontario Farm Animal Council, Guelph; The Hamilton Spectator, 2007.01.17; Letter to the Editor

Re: ‘Paralyzed by choice at the egg cooler’ (Opinion, Jan. 12)

We’re fortunate to live in a country with so many food choices, in a world where many have little food at all. But many of the statements in the article on eggs need some perspective from farmers.

Farmers, like any animal owners, are not excluded from animal cruelty legislation. The Codes of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals , which includes hens, are voluntary. However, egg farms are inspected and must meet standards for both food safety and animal care to sell into the marketplace. The goal of “natural” is admirable, but not possible in Hamilton in January, given Canadian weather conditions.

Many people forget why we created barns and systems like cages in the first place — to allow the birds to eat and drink without getting pecked, to protect them from predators, and of course, the weather.

Animal housing is a surprisingly complex topic, and many researchers dedicate their careers towards “asking the animals ” what is best for them through behavioural studies, instead of using simplistic “how would you like it?” thinking. No system is perfect. Each has pros and cons and trade-offs, which each farmer has to weigh out carefully.

There is nothing to “hide” about how hens are raised. Egg farmers across the province bring hens to educational events like the Royal Winter Fair to show the public how birds are raised, and have a conversation about what they do and why they do it. If you can’t talk to a farmer directly, look for a “virtual farm tour” of some real egg farms in Ontario on www.farmissues.com later this spring.

The amazing thing about farms in Canada, which also makes it difficult to explain, is that they are all different. Farmers can choose conventional, free run, free range or organic — whichever suits their family, their land, and marketing preferences best. Over 98 per cent of farms in Canada are family farms, not factories. Technologies, like automatic feeders, help each farmer look after more animals than in the past. At the end of the day, they still work with Mother Nature and animals , not car parts or widgets.

Farmers are almost an endangered species. Fewer and fewer people know the facts about who we are or what we do, and unfortunately that void leads to a perfect opportunity for misinformation.

We encourage you to ask questions about your food and how it’s produced. Farms, like everything else, are different than they were 100 years ago, but the important things remain the same.

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Posted by Admin on July 21st, 2009 :: Filed under Family vs factory farming, Housing, Letters to the Editor, Poultry
Tags :: activists, animal care, Consumers, eggs, Farmers, food, Poultry
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