8 Sentence loosened


for dairy worker BC SPCA launches petition to increase livestock surveillance


by PETER MITHAM CHILLIWACK – A farmhand


convicted of animal abuse will be allowed to work with cattle, to the shock of BC SPCA and industry representatives. Brad Genereux was one of


seven men charged and convicted in relation to the abuse of animals at Chilliwack Cattle Sales Ltd. in 2014. Genereux pleaded guilty in provincial court to two counts of animal cruelty. On October 4, he became one of six people jailed in relation to the incident, receiving a sentence of 45 days in jail. He was also prohibited from caring for large animals for 18 months. But in surprise turn of


events, the court permitted Genereux to work at Cedarwal Farms Ltd. in Abbotsford. “We feel that the behaviour


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that was depicted in those videos was definitely not acceptable and we feel those individuals should not have access to animals,” says Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer with the BC SPCA. “Obviously, we have to respect the judge’s decision in this case, but we feel that is part of the punishment.” Moriarty assumes the


exception was made in view of the fact that the abuse occurred three years ago and Genereux would be out of work if he couldn’t tend cattle. “We would say, well, he should be exploring other avenues – that’s part of the punishment,” Moriarty said. “It goes against the intention of the ban on owning animals – which of course, one, is to protect animals in the future, but in this case it was also to send a very clear message.” Trevor Hargreaves,


producer relations and communications director with the BC Dairy Association, participated in the investigation of Chilliwack Cattle Sales in 2014 but said he’s not privy to the sentencing terms each individual received. He referred questions to Cedarwal.


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • NOVEMBER 2017


WINNER! WINNER! Country Life in BC writers Tamara Leigh and David Schmidt received national honours during the


Canadian Farm


Writers Association convention in Quebec City in October. Tamara won a silver award in photography for her January 2017 cover photo in Country Life in BC. David won gold in a hotly contested technical feature category for his story Small is better than it was that appeared in


Western Dairymen. A version of the story appeared in


the April edition of Country Life in BC. SHARON GROSE PHOTO


Cedarwal did not respond


to a request for comment on Genereux’s employment at the farm or any safeguards implemented to protect their animals from future abuse. BC SPCA, meanwhile, is soliciting signatures for a petition advocating for federal legislation that would require video surveillance and third-party audits of all farm businesses engaged in livestock production, transport and slaughter to verify compliance with industry codes of practice. “A requirement like this will


allow the government to better regulate intensive farming,” the BC SPCA states. “Cameras will give assurance to Canadian citizens that


animals raised in intensive farming systems are, at minimum, receiving the basic care required in the national Codes of Practice.”


BOOST in cartons nfrom page 7


to 25,000 dozen eggs a month within three years. “The mission for the


company is bringing healthy foods to the world,” Vanderkooi says. “We just felt this was a natural extension or progression as we grow and develop.”


The model is appealing enough that Bakerview EcoDairy is converting its demonstration flock of 1,000 laying hens to free range production. Vitala is also seeking BC SPCA certification for its eggs, and encouraging people to see for themselves the stress-free life its hens live. “[We] want to allow people to come in to do some egg collection, and really be open about the newer system,” Vanderkooi says. This isn’t to say


conventional production no longer has a place in the industry. Conventional eggs still represent 69% of production in BC, down from 73% a year ago. Specialty production


resonates with consumers concerned not only that the eggs they’re eating are good for them, but good for the birds that laid them. The concerns aren’t foreign to new producers like Les, either. “I do think there is still a


place for conventional production, but I am drawn to free range and aviaries because I do think it is best for the birds,” he says.


But with a suggested retail price of $6 to $7 a dozen versus $2 to $3 for conventional eggs, the associated nutritional and social benefits don’t come cheap. “It does cost more and the consumer has to be willing to pay more for the eggs,” Les says.


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