By Leslie Ballentine, Farming and food commentator
Post Traumatic Syndrome and grieving isn’t something we usually associate with farm animal tragedies. But for those who have been through a tragic loss of livestock or poultry, it is something very real. I know from personal experience- having run a farmer helpline in the early 1980’s, that emotional support is an important part of the rebuilding process.
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Posted by FFC on July 11th, 2011 :: Filed under
Activism,
Barn fires,
Farm life,
MediaTags ::
agriculture,
animal rights,
farm,
Farmers
By Leslie Ballentine, Farming and Food Commentator
What do these three things have in common? They get people’s attention. And thanks in part to new technologies and eroding respect for privacy rights, “Little Brother” is everywhere. 
Distrust of others and a sense of entitlement to know everyone’s business means less and less remains private anymore. The tabloid talk show, paparazzi, leakipedia and the move toward corporate transparency are all examples of that. Welcome too to the era of the “undercover investigation” which is just a nice name for spying.
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Posted by FFC on April 28th, 2011 :: Filed under
Activism,
Animal cruelty,
MediaTags ::
activists,
agriculture,
animals,
Farmers
By Leslie Ballentine, Farming and food commentator
I am not committed to any particular political party and, like many Canadians, tend to cast my ballot based on election platforms. Not that I necessarily expect them to be honoured, but sometimes party platforms devolve into nonsense.
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Posted by FFC on April 14th, 2011 :: Filed under
Activism,
Innovation and technology,
Organics,
RegulationsTags ::
activists,
agriculture,
Canada,
regulation
By Leslie Ballentine, Farming and food commentator
With a federal election just around the corner, politicians are being inundated with voter requests for new legislation in the next Parliamentary session. One that comes up with regular frequency is legislation dealing with animal welfare. A researcher with the University of Manitoba suggests the legislative approach to addressing public concerns related to the welfare of animals raised for food does not necessarily ensure the welfare of those animals. A viewpoint shared by others.
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Posted by FFC on April 7th, 2011 :: Filed under
Activism,
Animal care,
RegulationsTags ::
activists,
animal welfare,
regulation
by Patricia Grotenhuis, Lifelong farmer and Agricultural Advocate
Many people are familiar with the term “animal rights”, and hearing can bring up images of activist groups on parade. Animal rights supporters don’t believe humans have a right to use animals for any purpose. Activists are not usually interested in finding solutions but prefer to focus on problems and dramatic examples to generate funds and support.
A term which is heard less often in the general public is animal welfare, although this is the phrase that refers to what farmers and researchers are doing every day.
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Posted by FFC on February 25th, 2011 :: Filed under
Activism,
Animal care,
Animal health,
Codes of Practice,
Innovation and technology,
Sustainability of the family farmTags ::
activists,
agriculture,
animal care,
animal rights,
animal welfare,
Codes of Practice
By Leslie Ballentine, Farming and food commentator
Recent revelations about the circumstances behind a sled dog cull in Whistler B.C. has gotten world-wide attention and has spurred some of agriculture’s critics to capitalize on this attention. One of several examples was a Vancouver Sun commentary in which the author surmises that the mass shooting of nearly 100 sled dogs is no different than what occurs in animal agriculture on an hourly basis. Citing a number of activist references and websites, this regular columnist goes on to say that he finds “it curious that we’re justifiably disturbed by the unspeakable act at Whistler yet remain largely complacent about the cruel and completely unnecessary slaughter of other animals.” By misrepresenting agricultural practices he paints a false picture that demanded a response. After all, if agriculture doesn’t speak-up for itself, who will?
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Posted by FFC on February 15th, 2011 :: Filed under
Activism,
Animal care,
Animal cruelty,
Canada,
Letters to the EditorTags ::
activists,
agriculture,
animal care,
animal welfare,
Canada,
Farmers,
misconceptions
By Leslie Ballentine, Farming and food commentator
A November 2010 study by the George Morris Centre, a non-profit agri-food think tank, has found some alarming news about food. Their unpublished study titled Food Waste in Canada, estimates that $27 billion (yes billion) worth of food finds its way into landfill and composting each year. I’ve read elsewhere that 30-40% of our food goes to waste. The blame, according to the research, is split evenly between consumers who throw out food at home and the food supply chain; from farms through to stores and restaurants.
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Posted by FFC on January 17th, 2011 :: Filed under
Activism,
Beef cattle,
Feeding the world,
Global Warming,
Research,
Vegetarian
By Drovers news source | Thursday, May 27, 2010
The Animal Agriculture Alliance is disturbed by the images of alleged animal cruelty documented in a video released this week by an animal rights activist group. The Alliance has long condemned the abuse and mistreatment of animals raised for food and works to promote animal care guidelines on all farms across the United States.
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Posted by FFC on May 28th, 2010 :: Filed under
Activism,
Animal care,
Animal cruelty,
Dairy cattle,
Family vs factory farmingTags ::
animal abuse,
Animal cruelty,
dairy cows,
factory farming,
farm animal,
mercy for animals
Posted by OFAC (This article first appeared in OFAC’s February, 2010 newsletter)
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is well known for its outrageous and attention-grabbing antics, “behind the scenes” pressure tactics and for capitalizing on the efforts of others. At the same time PETA (and other animal rights groups) use more subtle methods to exert their influence and line their pockets.
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Posted by FFC on May 19th, 2010 :: Filed under
Activism,
Consumers,
Family vs factory farming,
Media,
PETA,
Vegan,
Vegetarian
Richest Animal Rights Group Now Ranked Lower Than PETA
WASHINGTON, April 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Today the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) pointed to a newly downgraded rating from Charity Navigator as evidence that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is not adequately fulfilling its stated charitable purpose.
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Posted by BCFACC on April 7th, 2010 :: Filed under
Activism,
Consumers,
Education and public awareness,
Uncategorized
