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The Weigh and Trim Program is delivered by
the
Animal Health and Welfare Branch, Policy, Audit and
Regulatory Standards Unit which is managed by
Dr. Robert Vanderwoude. It is an effective tool in
developing and maintaining consistent standards and
credibility in settlement for the sale of beef cattle on
a live or dressed weight basis in Ontario.
Ontario’s Weigh and Trim Inspectors, Ed Bailey and
Mike Draper, have a mandate to monitor sales barns
and slaughter plants for compliance under several
different acts and regulations. These acts include the
Beef Cattle Marketing Act, the Livestock Community
Sales Act, the Livestock and Livestock Products Act,
the Farm Products Grades and Sales Act, and the
Food Safety and Quality Act.
In 2007 Ed Bailey and Mike Draper traveled approximately
98,187 km across Ontario and:
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Conducted 54 inspections in Federal and Provincial
slaughter facilities, monitoring for compliance with
carcass weigh and trim requirements and advising
on required procedures that also meet hygienic
dressing requirements; and,
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Conducted 132 inspections in licensed livestock
auction markets monitoring the weighing of live
animals, scale accuracy, disease control and
proper handling of livestock from an animal
welfare perspective.
In addition to conducting inspections, Ed Bailey and
Mike Draper provided assistance and advisory services
to various stakeholders, organizations and Ministry
programs in the livestock and meat industry.
A complement of 49 Appointed Veterinary Inspectors,
48 Lay Inspectors and 3 OSPCA Inspectors conduct
inspections at licensed community sales. In September of
2007 OMAFRA organized and held two training sessions
for 38 Lay Inspectors and Veterinary Inspectors. These
training sessions reviewed issues regarding Livestock
Transportation, the Role of the Lay Inspector, Recognizing
Disease and Distress, Humane Handling and Captive
Bolt Euthanasia.
In 2007 we took a number of steps to address the issues
of compromised animals arriving at licensed facilities,
i.e.)
advisory letters being sent out, signs being created and
posted advising persons not to unload downer livestock
and that sick, injured or diseased livestock will be held
for Veterinarian Inspectors.
ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR 2008 INCLUDE:
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Maintaining current compliance, advisory
and enforcement
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Continue assisting other program staff and the meat
processing industry in advisory and enforcement
activities to ensure a safe food supply
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Training of more Lay Inspectors at sales yards
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Training for Appointed Veterinarians
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A new procedure for appointment of Lay Inspectors
which includes continued training and a three year
expiration date on appointments
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Increased monitoring of the weigh scales and ensuring
yearly certification of scales, which is required
under the Beef Cattle Marketing Act
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Working with licensed facilities to improve animal
health and welfare at licensed facilities
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OMAFRA staff is working on a road show, hoping
to deliver in the spring of 2008, which will provide
producers and truckers at community livestock sales
with information on the LCSA program and three
critical issues: caring for compromised animals,
emergency slaughter and caring for bob calves
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