The NFACC Conversations Podcast

The NFACC Conversations podcast was created to explore topics on farm animal welfare, particularly as they relate to the work of the National Farm Animal Care Council. The goal is to share information and expand the opportunity for engagement with those who are interested in NFACC’s work and in the topic of farm animal welfare.

Listen to a brief introduction to the NFACCconversations podcast.  LISTEN NOW

Episode 4: What’s the Value of a Code of Practice?

This episode, “What’s the Value of a Code of Practice,” will take a closer look at the current beef cattle Code update which is now available for public comment, as well as unpack the impact and value of Canada’s Codes of Practice for farmers.

The episode features three core participants in the beef cattle Code’s update - Matt Bowman, an Ontario beef farmer, past Chair of the Beef Cattle Research Council, and acting Chair of the beef cattle Code Committee; Dr. Mike Jelenski, founding partner of Veterinary Agri-Health Services, a beef cattle veterinary practice in Alberta, and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association representative on the Code Committee; and Dr. Karen Genswein, a research scientist with AAFC in Lethbridge and Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Karen is the Chair of the beef cattle Code Scientific Committee and participates in Code Committee discussions as a committee member. The episode was hosted and produced by ACER Consulting. LISTEN NOW

Episode 3: What's involved in a Code update?

This episode features an in-depth interview with Equine Code Committee Chair, Dr. Bettina Bobsien, and Equine Code Scientific Committee Chair, Dr. Kathleen MacMillan. Bettina and Kathleen tell the story of the equine Code update from their perspectives as core participants in the process. Listeners will get a “behind the scenes” peek that highlights the challenges and successes along the way, along with helping stakeholders understand the role they play in a Code’s Public Comment Period, which is currently underway for the equine Code. This episode of the NFACC Conversation podcast was hosted and produced by ACER Consulting.  LISTEN NOW

Episode 2: Food Company Insights on Farm Animal Welfare 

The second episode of the NFACC Conversations podcast features a retail, restaurant, and foodservice panel discussion. Panel members were:

• Angela Griffiths, Vice President of Food Safety, Quality Assurance and Animal Welfare, A & W,
• Jason McLinton, Vice President of the Grocery Division and Regulatory Affairs, Retail Council of Canada,
• Paolo Dimanno, Senior Director of Strategic Sourcing, Recipe Unlimited,
• Michael Yarymowich, Director, Sustainability, Aramark.

Panellists provided their perspectives on the value and use of, and expectations for, the Codes of Practice; how food companies can support the achievability of Codes of Practice; expectations for on-farm animal care assessment programs; thoughts around the “citizen-consumer paradox” when it comes to food purchases; and much more. A fascinating, insightful conversation for anyone who is interested in or affected by the decisions of retail, restaurant, and foodservice companies relative to farm animal welfare. LISTEN NOW

Episode 1: On Board with Farm Animal Transportation: a conversation with the transporters involved in the transportation Code of Practice update.

Dr. Jeffrey Spooner leads a conversation with Randy Scott of Brussels Transport, Angie Hurst of Luckhart Transport, Richard Mack of Riverdale Poultry Express, and Steve Brandt of Steve’s Livestock Transport. Together they discuss the complexities involved in transporting animals, the advances that have been made in securing the welfare of animals during transportation, the idea of the “perfect move”, and how the transportation Code can help connect everyone involved in the transportation process.  LISTEN NOW