For Immediate Release
July 23, 2008

Will animal welfare law threaten farming,fishing and hunting?
Public hearings raise questions: Barrett

London – Public Hearings on Bill 50 – to Amend the Ontario Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act – have raised some worrisome questions for rural and northern Ontario, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett stated at the conclusion of the London testimony.

“It is imperative that the right to hunt and fish, and to engage in normal farm and animal husbandry practices, not be compromised by this bill,” Barrett stressed.

A number of presenters advocated the proposed legislation be voted down or amended to protect traditional practices and the currently accepted methods of utilization of animals. Concern was expressed by deputantes that the animal rights agenda could be promoted through this legislation under the guise of animal welfare.

“We need further consultation – particularly at the regulation stage of this process – and further clarification of how this bill will identify and define ‘distress’ in animals with respect to farming, fishing and hunting,” Barrett concluded.

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