Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020: Protecting Ontario farms and the food system
More than ever, we understand the critical importance of maintaining a steady and reliable food supply and protecting the safety of those who feed us. Today, the Ontario government announced the proclamation of the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020. Beginning December 5, 2020, the Act will protect Ontario’s food supply chain, from farm to table, without infringing on the right to peacefully protest and, in conjunction with the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS), 2019, ensure animals are protected and cared for properly.
Ontario’s farm and commodity groups applaud the efforts of the Hon. Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ontario government in working diligently to support the needs of Ontario’s food producers. The Act demonstrates to trespassers, activists, law enforcement and the Ontario justice system that the protection of farms, families, agri-food employees, animals and the food system is of the highest priority. The Act strikes a balance in enhancing the safety and protection of the farming and food industry while recognizing and respecting a citizen’s rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.
To be perfectly clear, Ontario’s farm and commodity organizations are aligned in having zero tolerance for animal abuse. Concerns around animal abuse, and the ability and obligation to report such actions are entrenched within the PAWS Act. Farmers are highly regulated, following strict codes of conduct to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all farm animals. Animal welfare is integral to the care they provide for their animals. The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act complements the PAWS Act, ensuring the highest standards of animal care, protecting people, animals and the province’s food supply while respecting lawful and peaceful protest.
The agri-food industry in Ontario contributes more than $47 billion to the province’s annual GDP and employs more than 860,000 Ontarians. Workers across agriculture and the food sector — including farmers and farm workers, transporters, abattoirs, processing plant employees, food service and retail outlets — have experienced threats and harassment from activists seeking to end their industry. These events pose severe risks to human and animal health and welfare and threaten the integrity of the food system by breaching biosecurity protocols. Unwanted visitors and trespassers can have devastating impacts on the health and safety of farms, families, businesses and livestock. In Canada, 97 per cent of farms are family farms — not only a place of business, but also homes where children are raised, and family and friends are welcomed.
Ontario farm families depend on the safety and security of their farms to raise livestock, and grow and produce food to maintain a strong, reliable food supply. On behalf of all Ontario farmers, processing facilities and agri-food businesses, we’d like to express our sincere appreciation to the provincial government for protecting farms and food safety. The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act ensures Ontario’s food value chain system is safeguarded, by strengthening protections for farm families, agri-food employees, and animals while maintaining the right to lawful protest.
Find the full news release here.
Recent
Updates
-
VFO provincial election priorities
May 19, 2022
Ahead of the upcoming provincial election, the Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) Board of Directors has identified priority issues for our sector and we encourage producers to share them in conversations with their local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) candidates. Every conversation, whether in-person, over the phone, through emails or social media, is an opportunity […]
Read News -
Veal Farmers of Ontario announces leadership for 2022
Mar 17, 2022
Bouilly re-elected to another term as VFO Chair Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) is pleased to announce the re-election of Pascal Bouilly as Chair and Cameron Knip as Vice Chair, at a recent meeting of the Board of Directors. Bouilly, the Dairy Calf Supply Chain Manager with Delft Blue Veal in Cambridge, was appointed to […]
Read News -
Annual VFO Board of Director’s Award winner announced
Mar 10, 2022
Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) was pleased to announce this year’s VFO Board of Director’s Award winner at its recent virtual Annual General Meeting held March 9, 2022. The VFO Board of Director’s Award recognizes the contributions that many make to help the VFO Board achieve their goals. This year, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) […]
Read News -
VFO STATEMENT: VFO applauds investment to improve veterinary access for Ontario livestock farmers
Jan 20, 2022
Access to veterinary care is a priority for all livestock farmers. Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) applauds yesterday’s joint announcement of an investment of up to $4 million dollars through the Livestock Veterinary Innovation Initiative, which will provide cost-share funding to improve virtual care options, expand telemedicine access and address issues with mobile clinics. VFO […]
Read News