Have your say

Caring for animals

In her Sept. 27 article, Pork industry practices raise public concerns, Leslie Yeoman propagates so many untruths about pig-farming practices, it is hard to know where to begin.

It goes without saying that Manitoba pig farmers address the five freedoms when caring for their animals. Yes, many pig farmers are in financial distress, some with their homes on the line, but that hasn't kept them from feeding their pigs. If that doesn't exemplify how much farmers care for their animals, I am not sure what does.

The example that Yeoman uses about the treatment of male pigs is completely untrue; the current code of practice -- our industry standard -- makes it clear that the "industry will not tolerate inhumane handling of boars," including "hitting them on the nose to keep them from fighting."

This code is directly referred to and enforced by Manitoba's Animal Care Act. Pigs are neutered and have their tails clipped when they are only two or three days old, before they have fully developed pain receptors, and quite likely before they have long-term memory. And more and more farmers are using pain-control during these events.

Yeoman criticizes pig farmers for housing pigs individually, but more than 95 per cent of pigs raised in Manitoba are housed in groups for their entire lives. The others are separated because farmers are protecting them from aggression between one another. Individual housing was supported at the time by veterinarians and science.

Many farmers in Europe who have experimented with group housing have been heartbroken to see that their new, "more humane" system has, in fact, resulted in their sows getting bullied, bruised and deprived of food.

When Manitoba farmers can afford to make the change, they are going to do it right. The research on group housing being done -- which includes compiling the experiences of European farmers -- is essential to ensure that farmers can protect their pigs while letting them comingle.

KARL KYNOCH

Manitoba Pork Council

Winnipeg

Leslie Yeoman provides a commendable, clear assessment of the issues surrounding the pork industry. There is very little media attention given to the full picture of how and where livestock are raised and killed in Canada.

Pigs are perhaps the smartest, cleanest domestic animals -- more so than cats and dogs, according to some experts -- but even if you don't believe that, no animal deserves to be treated with the brutality Yeoman describes

It's time that our society enforced the five freedoms for animal welfare in the meat industry. Or better yet, consumers need to make informed decisions about where their food comes from and perhaps a humane, healthier option would be to cut out eating meat altogether.

LOIS TAYLOR

Winnipeg

Compromised compassion

Chief vet defends pig euthanasia (Sept. 25). As a veterinary assistant for more than 30 years, I have witnessed scenarios where compassion is compromised for the sake of expediency or economics in companion-animal medicine.

One can only imagine to what extent this happens with food animals. Perhaps our provincial veterinarians should revisit the definition of euthanasia: a painless, peaceful death. This certainly doesn't describe barn manager Tony Heppner's accounting of the killing of 1,300 piglets, many of which were shot multiple times, screaming until they received a fatal bullet.

Unfortunately, this will not garner the same public outcry generated by the sled dog massacre in B.C. Sadly, pigs don't evoke the same degree of sympathy in our society, even though their intelligence is superior to that of dogs and they have the same capacity to suffer.

DEBBIE WALL

Winnipeg

Spreading the wealth

Re: Katz defends $1-M Arizona purchase (Sept. 28). If Mayor Sam Katz has been so "blessed" with wealth in recent years, why has he never repaid the money he owes Crocus shareholders?

JUDY BURNS

Winnipeg

Question: What has four legs and chases Katz?

Answer: The dogged determination of the Free Press's Dan Lett and Bartley Kives.

MARK RASH

Winnipeg

A happy marriage

Regarding your review of Sandra Martin's book, Working the Dead Beat (Loving portraits, history from the 'dead beat,' Sept. 22), yes, Sandra was, and is, a friend.

Through all except one year in 40 years, my late wife, Connie, and I did not have a "troubled marriage."

We had a joyful, triumphant marriage. Connie was the best president the University of Winnipeg ever had, until malevolent influences went to work on your sorrowful, wonderful city.

LEON ROOKE

Toronto

Appearances only

Re: Confront Mideast turmoil, Obama tells world leaders (Sept. 26). U.S. President Barack Obama has finally told world leaders that he strongly defends the U.S. constitution's guarantee of freedom of expression. Unfortunately, he is a couple of weeks late.

It appears that Obama wishes to be liked by Arab leaders. His method to achieve this includes snubbing Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli leader who is deathly worried about Iran's nuclear ambitions. And while Netanyahu cannot get a meeting with the White House, Obama reiterates that there is still time to diplomatically rein in Iran.

Somehow Obama does not convey the confidence needed to deal with the emerging Arab states and Iran.

DON HERMISTON

Winnipeg

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 29, 2012 A16