Last December I saw a W5 program on the horrible living conditions of sows in gestation cages at a farm near Putnam Ontario. It was a very disturbing and shocking report. I did not realize that such “torture” devices were still used in Canada. I wonder how many Canadians are aware of this unnecessary and draconian practice?
I know that not all facets of meat production are “pretty.” I am not an activist or a vegetarian but like many Canadians I do love animals and it greatly pained me to see the cruel treatment these intelligent animals endure for the sake of our bacon and ham. Pigs are said to be as, if not more, intelligent than dogs. No one would dream of confining a dog in a cage where he can’t turn around for weeks on end, so why is this okay for pigs?
It seems no one cares. Maybe pigs are not cute and cuddly but I believe it’s more a lack of awareness and I suppose the some pork producers do a great job of keeping their dirty secrets from public view. I
If the industry was more transparent, we would not need to send people with hidden cameras in these barns to see what is truly happening there. We know that stressed animals in cramped conditions are prime candidates for sickness and disease which can be passed on to humans.
This dreadful practice needs to be done away with for good as soon as possible. We need to let our MPs know, support local producers such as the Israel family in Wallenstein who were showcased on CTV recently and make better informed consumer choices at the grocery store.
Look for “gestation crate free” pork products or buy organic.
Helen Brossard,
Harriston