Standardized Calculations for Determining Space Allowance Expected to Ease Confusion

Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 2253

The Canadian Pork Council is confident a new standardized method for calculating space allowance will help clear up much of the confusion that has resulted as producers have adopted the new animal welfare component of Canadian Quality Assurance.

The Animal Care Assessment Tool, introduced in July 2005, was developed as a stand alone component of Canadian Quality Assurance, the Canadian swine industry's national on farm food safety program and it's intended to provide producers an auditable means of demonstrating the care they provide their animals.

CPC Executive Associate Catherine Scovil says a new producer guide will provide additional information on each of the ACA's requirements.

What we've done is outlined a very detailed methodology for calculating space allowances because what we discovered is that producers are all calculating space allowances using different approaches and the key will be to have that approach standardized.

What we did recognize, when we developed the animal care assessment tool, was that there was new research being done on space allowances and so the space allowances that are in the ACA reflect the current publication of the code of practice for the care and handling of pigs and it allows a little bit of a tolerance recognizing that new information was coming out.

We, the Canadian Pork Council, is committed to examining this new research and that process is underway.

Let's look at what the new research is.

Let's look at practical on farm settings and see if we need to revise space allowance numbers that we currently have in the ACA but, in the meantime, what we want to do is make sure that we're all using the same methodology."

Scovil notes draft versions of the producer guide are being used in some provinces and the final version is expected to be released in both official languages in October.

She adds the Canadian Pork Council is committed to reviewing ACA in 2007 and she encourages producers to get a copy of the package and to see how it works on their farms.

Staff Farmscape.Ca

More of the latest Pig Industry News

•   Uncertainities in Tackling GHG Emissions Accepted
•   Hans Enters Voluntary Administration
•   Milk Crisis Spills Out on All Food Sectors
•   Bavarian Farm Provides Feeding for 750 Breeding Sows
•   EU Pig Prices: Lateral Movement in Markets
•   Pork Commentary: Darkest Before the Dawn
•   TOPIGS Canada Purchases Maple Leaf Agri-Farms
•   New PRRS Virus, Possible Vaccine Failures Reported
•   Canada to Consult WTO on COOL Regulations
•   Producers Burdened with New Disposal Cost