The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $2 million under the Growing Forward 2 program for a new animal welfare initiative in Ontario. 

The IMPACT program, managed by Farm & Food Care, will develop and provide training, communications and related resources with a goal to help advance responsible farm animal care across Ontario. This two year program (2014-2016) will provide Ontario farmers and others who work with farm animals with practical training and plans for implementing new practices in their operations.

Helping those who work with farm animals keep up to date with the latest research, standards and practices related to farm animal care will provide a valuable base for implementing changes that can benefit both animals and people.

The program team will work with animal welfare-related leaders identified by sector and area of expertise for program development and content. Farm & Food Care's Farm Animal Care Advisory Council will serve as the oversight group for this program.

The multi species resources developed through this program will be based on existing industry resources such as the Codes of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals, Quality Assurance Programs, training and education programs, as well as current academic research and best practices used in other jurisdictions.

Farmers, processors, organizations and collaborations will also be able to receive support under Growing Forward 2 for activities that enhance animal welfare, including training, skills development, and project planning and implementation.

Joining the team will be Dr. Mike Petrik as the program's lead and Dr. Laura Beveridge as the program's coordinator.

Said Petrik, "Making an impact on the lives of animals on the farm takes knowledge, resources and experience, and this program will provide all of these in a way that will let farmers and their animals benefit on a day to day basis. All farmers and others who work with livestock have the desire to care for their animals in the best way possible, and this program will give them a valuable tool to continue to improve in this priority." 

Staff from all levels of government and associated agricultural agribusinesses are encouraged to attend Farm & Food Care's upcoming Farm Innovation Tours.

WHEN: May to September 2014

COLLECTION SITES:  Collection sites will be located at participating retailers in southwestern Ontario. A list of participating retail collection sites can be found in the link below and at CleanFARMS.ca

WHAT:

•  Empty pesticide bags: multi-walled paper, plastic and aluminum
• Empty seed bags: multi-walled paper and polywoven plastic

 HOW TO RETURN BAGS:

1. Obtain free collection bags from select agricultural retailers.
2. Ensure that your seed or pesticide bags are empty.
3. Place the empty bags in the collection bag.
4. Return your full, tied bags to a participating retailer. Bags will be accepted free of charge and sent for safe disposal.  

CleanFARMS is a not-for-profit industry stewardship organization committed to environmental responsibility through the proper management of agricultural waste.