Alexandra Harlander is a professor in the department of animal biosciences at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College.

Her appointment as research chair in poultry welfare is part of a $1.3 million investment to ensure research at the university, “continues to guide animal care standards and inform management decisions” according to a Feb. 26 news release.

Harlander’s research focuses on understanding hen behaviour across different housing systems. Her work has contributed to the National Farm Animal Care Council’s codes of practice, the release said. She has also contributed to several industry programs, including a national feather-scoring system.

“True animal care is shared care. It includes the hens, the farmers and the farm families in every barn across the country,” Harlander said in the news release.

“I strive to develop practical, science-based solutions that benefit the birds and the well-being of the people who care for them,” she said. “I look forward to working directly with farmers and their birds to address the challenges they face.”

Harlander succeeds Tina Widowski, who held the chair since 2011.

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Darren Vanstone, an animal welfare advocate and managing director of Ocatra, spoke at the Humane Canada One Health One Welfare Conference in Ottawa.

He said animal agriculture should be approached as what it is — a complex system of individuals and businesses. Not everything can be easily changed.

Clear direction needed

Vanstone said activists must have a clear, simple message to get through to people and businesses. Without a specific ask, efforts can sometimes backfire.

For example, in 2002, Humane World for Animals, or HSUS had a campaign that led to sow stalls being banned in Florida in 2008 — the first such ban in the U.S.

“They needed to have a very simple ask, right? They chose group housing. But they actually didn’t provide any other direction around that.”

Without clear direction, the advocacy resulted in change but ended up making some aspects of animal welfare worse.

“We said, ‘get them into group housing.’ They got them into group housing,” Vanstone said. “And the current standard operating procedures is …16 square feet, right? So, two extra square feet for animals that were already too big.”

“They also don’t have the protection of the bars now, and they don’t have any enrichments and they are all hungry because we’re not feeding them and when we are, we’re feeding them liquid.”

“So theoretically, what we’ve done is actually made that a lot worse.”

The campaign was effective in pushing for change, Vanstone said in a later email conversation, however “the early adopters are either going to lose their market (for example, to Prop 12-compliant producers) or be forced to undergo additional renovations to barns they reworked less than 10 years ago.”

Proposition 12, or Prop 12, is a 2018 California ballot initiative that mandates meat and eggs sold in California must come from animals raised in compliance with the state’s welfare regulations, which affect space allotments for sows. It mandates that sows much have at least 24 square feet of space.

Incremental change

Vanstone said advocates may need to accept that the system may never be perfect in their eyes. Producing enough food for a country the size of Canada while maintaining significant exports could make inevitable some degree of danger, environmental damage and animal harm.

“I would say that ultimately, the decisions that we make, the cost and benefits, we just need to figure out that we’re distributing those equally,” he said.

He suggested focusing on changing one thing at a time rather than looking for a “silver bullet.”

“There will be a lot of times that you will realize that you’ve not picked the right spot, and then you can go back and redo it,” Vanstone said. “Really complex systems like the food system are dynamic, and they learn and they change. So, what you do now may not work again later.”

“When we’re talking about changing things at the structure, at the core, where things actually happen, a single, small change in there will have massive impact.”

One of the best ways to drive change is to address problems at their root and understand which players don’t have as much skin in the game. If advocates can find a root cause of multiple impacts, they don’t have to worry about the technical issues.

“You let the technical people solve the technical parts. This is where you set long-term goals and ambitions, and you do it across a broad stakeholder group.”

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“Canadian horses, swine and ruminants returning to Canada will not be able to enter Canada after a stay in a VS-infected state in the last 21 days,” stated a CFIA release.

WHY IT MATTERS: Transmitted by black flies, sand flies and biting midges, VSV resembles the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease, causing mild fever and blister or crusting lesions inside the mouth, on the ears, lips, nose, udder, sheath, and above the hooves in horses, ruminants, swine, and members of the llama and deer families.

In October, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed VSV outbreaks on two farms in Arizona involving horses. The facilities also housed cattle that were not clinically affected.

The virus has an incubation period of two to eight days, and full recovery occurs in three to four days. However, it can affect milk production and lead to market losses for live animals, meat, and animal genetics.

The NVSL release states no livestock were moved on or off the affected premises, and biosecurity measures, along with vector control, are in place to reduce the spread. A 14-day quarantine starting from the last affected animal’s lesion onset is also implemented.

Canadian animals with a Canadian health certificate can return within three days of the USDA declaring their host state affected by VSV, provided they are inspected by the CFIA POE (port of entry) vet.

Otherwise, the release said, the Canadian health certificate is null and void, and animals from a VSV-infected state will require a minimum 21-day quarantine in a non-infected state before they can be exported to Canada.

The CFIA, in partnership with the USDA, has arranged special accommodations for animals imported for Canadian livestock events such as the Royal Winter Fair, Agribition, the Calgary Stampede and horse-specific events at Spruce Meadows and Thunderbirds.

“U.S.-origin and returning Canadian horses and ruminants that qualify for this exception are required to obtain a CFIA import permit and a USDA health certificate with the USDA addendum for VSV,” stated the CFIA release.

The last outbreak of VSV in the U.S. occurred from May 2023 through January 2024 and affected 319 premises across California, Nevada, and Texas.

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According to Dr. Rob Swackhammer, veterinarian with Upper Grand Veterinary Services in Guelph, Ont., who specializes in large animal veterinary care, these situations can often be managed with a little common sense and confidence.

“Having the basic skills and self-confidence to assist an animal that’s uncomfortable not only improves the animal’s welfare but can be the difference between calling the vet or not, or even buying time until the vet arrives,” says Swackhammer. Knowing what to look for and how to manage an animal health situation can also provide a veterinarian with valuable information to make timely decisions.

A firm believer in lifelong learning, Swackhammer often works with clients to educate them on early symptoms and signs of animal illness or distress. He shares his practical on-farm approach with farmers to identify common issues, how to manage emergency situations and when to call in a veterinarian for help.

Here are the top four animal health concerns Swackhammer believes livestock farmers should be able to identify and know what to do if faced with the situation. 

1. Dystocia 

Commonly known as an abnormal or difficult birth, dystocia can occur at any stage of labour, in all types of livestock and at any age.

Swackhammer advises farmers to brush up on the stages of labour based on the type of animal they have. For example, the first stages of labour in a cow could take up to five hours, and once feet are presented the calf should be born within the hour. Understanding the labour stages can help farmers understand if the situation is prolonged or problematic, and if they need to call a veterinarian for help.

If an animal’s labour becomes prolonged or it exhibits signs of discomfort, Swackhammer advises farmers to perform an internal examination. “The ability to properly assess an animal, like checking on the position of the baby, can help everyone make informed decisions. If a vet needs to be called, the ability to provide as much information over the phone about the length of labour and position of the baby inside the mother will benefit everyone, especially the animal in distress,” says Swackhammer.

“If labour is going well and progressing there is no need to touch the animal,” Swackhammer reminds farmers. “But knowing when to step in can save the baby and result in a healthier mother.”

Of course, mitigating dystocia can be managed even before the animal becomes pregnant, by selecting sires that offer calving, lambing, foaling or kidding ease and proper nutrition to maintain ideal animal body weight and animal condition before and during pregnancy. 

Swackhammer recommends pregnancy checks or ultrasounds to identify the accurate birth timing and determine if the animal is carrying multiples. He reminds farmers that the more information you know ahead of time, the better prepared you can be.

When it comes to being prepared, having the right supplies on hand is a must. These should include OB gloves and lube, clean rope, anti-inflammatory medication, needles and syringes, and colostrum. 

Swackhammer reminds farmers that wearing personal protection when assisting with livestock births is important because some zoonotic diseases can be transmitted to humans. 

A clean and dry environment where animals can be caught easily and restrained, if necessary, should also be prepared to reduce stress on the animals and farm workers.

2. Scours

Scours refers to diarrhea and is most common in young animals, such as calves, lambs, piglets, kids and foals. It’s a common and potentially serious condition that can lead to dehydration, weakness and even death if not treated promptly. 

According to Swackhammer, the best defence against scours is colostrum. Ideally, every newborn animal should drink colostrum within eight hours of birth to reduce the risk of scours. Young animals should also have access to plenty of clean water to supplement their hydration.

Watery, loose feces are the most common signs of scours. Young animals can also show signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes and a dry mouth or nose. They can also be lethargic and show little interest in nursing, drinking or eating.

Early intervention is key to managing scours. As soon as signs are detected, the animals should be quarantined to reduce the transmission of pathogens to other young animals. If the animals are on pasture, Swackhammer advises farmers to rotate pastures and isolate sick animals to reduce pathogen buildup in the animals’ environment. 

Early treatment can be as simple as supplementing the young animal’s hydration with oral electrolytes once or twice a day. Electrolytes can be easily fed with a bottle and, as an added benefit, can help reduce the risk of acidosis in young animals. Swackhammer reminds farmers to read and follow label directions when administering all medication, including electrolytes. Providing an anti-inflammatory can also help young animals recover faster and keep them comfortable.

Swackhammer says it’s time to call the veterinarian when more severe signs of dehydration and lethargy are visible, or if the animal doesn’t respond to electrolytes. He explains that more severe stages of scours can be identified by drooping ears, sunken or glazed eyes, or if the young animal has difficulty standing. 

“That’s when you really need to call your vet,” he says, reminding farmers to keep detailed records of the illness timeline and any medication they have administered to provide the veterinarian with the most accurate and timely information.

If a herd or flock is prone to scours, Swackhammer advises farmers to consult with their veterinarian about preventative vaccine programs for mature animals that can help reduce the risk when young animals are born.

3. Lameness

Lameness is a frequent issue in livestock and, according to Swackhammer, the most common cause is foot rot. This is especially prominent during the muddy seasons of spring and fall, and that’s why he reminds farmers that prevention starts with keeping a clean and dry environment for livestock.

“Lameness due to foot rot can look like a broken foot, too,” says Swackhammer, noting that other common signs include swelling and an animal’s inability to bear weight on the foot. 

On-farm treatments can start with a long-acting antibiotic that should show signs of improvement within two days. Administering an anti-inflammatory is also recommended to reduce swelling and improve recovery time. 

If the animal doesn’t respond to treatment, or doesn’t improve within two days, Swackhammer recommends calling a veterinarian for a consultation. He says that in prolonged cases, it’s best to seek professional medical care to determine the cause and best course of treatment.

4. Respiratory infections

“Pneumonia is the predominant respiratory illness in livestock, especially in young animals,” says Swackhammer. He says that once again colostrum is a young animal’s best defense, along with a clean, dry and well-ventilated environment. 

Signs of pneumonia in young animals can vary, but common symptoms include coughing, laboured or rapid breathing, nasal discharge, fever and lethargy. Swackhammer says that in cases of respiratory illness, he recommends calling a veterinarian if any of these signs appear, especially if an animal is open-mouth breathing. 

Having a thermometer on hand to monitor the animal’s temperature is the first step to managing pneumonia. He says the first line of treatment will likely be a long-acting antibiotic, but that should be directed by a professional. And if there’s no response to treatment within 24-48 hours, then a second call to the veterinarian is recommended. 

Infected animals should also be quarantined, and nose-to-nose contact with other animals should be restricted or prevented altogether.

To help prevent pneumonia, farmers can start by minimizing stress in young animals. “Stress weakens an animal’s immune system and increases their risk of picking up bacteria and infections, especially respiratory infections,” explains Swackhammer.

Some of the most stressful periods in a young animal’s life can be weaning and transportation. Swackhammer advises farmers to consider a pre-weaning vaccination program to reduce the risk of illness and a weaning program that reduces animal stress. These management considerations can also help manage stress and boost immunity during transportation, reducing the risk of “shipping fever,” a common term for respiratory illness in livestock.

Empowering farmers

“Farmers are resourceful and intuitive, they just need to feel empowered sometimes, and have the proper tools and skill set to take action,” says Swackhammer, who recommends that farmers consult with their veterinarian to learn more about these common illnesses and what they can do to prevent and manage them on their own farm.

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“The outcome of this process supports our sector’s vision of continuous improvement in our production practices and approach to producing Canadian eggs,” said Roger Pelissero, chair of Egg Farmers of Canada in a news release.

The National Farm Animal Care Council and Egg Farmers of Canada announced the changes on Thursday. The amendment process began December 2023 after a comprehensive review of the code.

The changes targetted three aspects of layer and pullet care: requirements for round feeders, space allowances for pullets in multi-tier systems and the maximum number of tiers allowed in barns.

Round feeders

Specific requirements for minimum space per bird for round feeders was added to the code. Space requirements for linear feeders wasn’t changed.

The 2017 code requirements were challenging for egg farmers using round feeders, a ‘what we heard’ report said. The code requirements for birds per feeder differed from manufacturers recommendations.

Instead of specific defined measurements, the code provided a formula to convert linear feeder space to round feeder space. Producers questioned the rationale behind that conversion, “leading industry and the Code committee to question whether this may have been included as an oversight,” the report said.

The minimum space allowance requirement will apply to all holdings in the future, the amended code says. A transition timeline for barns built before the amendment will be decided when the code is next updated in or around 2028.

Multi-tier systems

Space requirements were changed for pullets older than eight weeks and housed in multi-tier systems to add about 36 per cent more space per bird.

During the consultation process, industry stakeholders raised concerns that the minimum space requirement was insufficient, the ‘what we heard’ report said. Many pullet growers were looking to soon replace existing pullet housing and were stuck in a holding pattern as they waited for further guidance.

A new recommended practice was added to provide additional space for pullets after 17 weeks of age.

“Pullets that are transitioned to the layer barn after 17 weeks of age are at greater risk for poor welfare due to physiological and behavioural changes associated with the onset of lay (e.g., risk of smothering, egg peritonitis, mislaid eggs),” the amended code says.

Maximum number of tiers

Egg Farmers of Canada added criteria to interpret rules around the number of tiers allowed in laying hen aviaries. Equipment manufacturers had interpreted the requirements multiple ways, the committee said. The additional criteria is meant to ensure the intention to protect the hens’ welfare is upheld while allowing for new aviary designs.

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The arguments presented to Justices Roberts, Miller and Zarnett in the Ontario Court of Appeals revolved around the legislative intent and constitutionality of false pretenses within Ontario’s Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act (STPFSA), 2020.

Why it matters: On April 2, 2024, Superior Court Judge Koehnen ruled that specific provisions within the Act violate the right of freedom of expression under the Charter of Rights, declaring them to have no force or effect.

In 2022, Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice, advocate Jessica Scott-Reid, and Toronto Cow Save organizer Louise Jorgensen challenged the constitutionality of new animal welfare legislation aimed at preventing activist disruptions and protecting farms from trespassing.

Arden Beddoes, a litigator for Scott-Reid and Jorgensen, argued that the Act infringes on freedom of expression under Section 2(b) of the Charter by focusing on the aspect of false pretenses rather than the value of the undercover exposé.

“There is no property right to the truth, the Absolute Truth, from everyone who seeks ingress,” argued Beddoes. “Under state laws enacted in this province, you only vitiate the consent because of this law. It’s not in the Trespass Act.”

Justice Zarnett pushed back, arguing the Trespass Act is procedural, dealing with remedies, not the relationship of trespass, which is established in common law, not the Trespass Act.

“But for the exposés, there would be no (STPFSA) law. That is the case,” volleyed Beddoes.

To which Justice Roberts replied, “But for the trespass, there would be no law,” questioning whether the deceit and the consent are inextricably intertwined to impair the validity of consent.

Justice Zarnett asked if the law’s “new” aspect was making something a trespass or establishing a provincial offence in those circumstances, which would otherwise only be actionable in a civil court.

“This is how you stop investigations, private investigations, investigative journalism, much of which, or a significant portion of which, could require investigatory deception,” Beddoes said, adding investigatory deceptions are protected under Section 2(b).

“They contribute to a marketplace of ideas from which people like Ms. Scott Reid draw, from which researchers may draw, on these important issues about how humans treat animals.”

Robin Basu, counsel to the Attorney General, stated that between 2007 and 2020, only 16 undercover exposés were published. He suggested that the COVID-19 restrictions from 2021 to 2022 limited undercover exposés more than STPFSA’s enforcement from 2020 to May 2024.

“(The Respondents) can’t say there were no undercover investigations when the law was enforced because we don’t know,” argued Basu. “There’s no evidence in the record that there were none. All we know is that the claimants say, we’re aware of no exposés being published.”

He added that evidence shows animal rights groups often defer reporting to authorities to prolong the collection of visceral footage, without producing an exposé.

Frederick Schumann, Animal Justice representative, stated that the journalist and whistleblower exceptions are too narrow.

“The person must be a journalist when they obtain the consent,” said Schumann.

A person working with an animal advocacy organization on an investigative exposé is not a journalist, nor are they considered an employee at the time they use false representation to gain employment, he explained.

“Neither the journalist exception nor the whistleblower exception is of assistance to them,” Schumann argued, even if they provide material to a media organization, law enforcement or regulatory body.

“It’s excluding, fundamentally, the animal advocacy organization from carrying out the exposé because their primary function is not to disseminate information to the public.”

In his rebuttal, Basu suggested, “There is no obstacle to Animal Justice setting up a subsidiary that is dedicated, or the primary function is the dissemination of information to the public.”

STPFSA targets trespass, not speech, said Basu, and Section 2(b) doesn’t mandate that free expression must secure genuine consent to enter a property, nor do civil consequences narrow constitutional protections.

“My friend said, ‘You can’t lie on your resume under this statute.’ You can lie on your resume,” explained Basu. “You just can’t do it, and when that lie successfully dupes somebody, then enter the farm.”

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‘We’ve launched the code of practice with the National Farm Animal Care Council,” said Stephen Heckbert, executive director of the Canadian Pork Council.

The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs will be guided by the development process set out by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), the spearheading body for Canada’s various livestock codes.

The pork industry is “working on developing our position,” Heckbert said.

WHY IT MATTERS: National codes for the care and handling of different livestock species are periodically set up for review and updating.

The last time the code was up for review, the big story was the planned phase-out of gestation crates. That 2014 document set out a deadline of 2024 for industry to make the switch. In 2019, there was a five-year review of the code.

The NFACC proposed an extension, which would push the deadline back until 2029. The issue hit limbo, however, after the code’s amendment committee was not able to reach a collective decision.

The Canadian Pork Council remains committed to transitioning to group sow housing by 2029, Heckbert said.

“That is the position we’ve had, and it is the position that we’ve re-affirmed with our provincial pork organizations,” he said. “That’s the move that producers will be making over the next couple of years, as they invest in their barns and as they make that transition,”

The Manitoba Pork Council estimates that over half of the province’s hog barns have switched over to group housing, according to their website.

Launching a code update

The latest update to the pig code began in September 2024. The code committee, which is undertaking the review, include pork producers, government representatives, scientists, veterinarians and people representing the Canadian agriculture and meat sector.

As part of the effort, a survey was opened May 15, 2025, and was set to close June 4.

The survey is designed to capture thoughts on animal welfare from all stakeholders. Input received will help the committee understand the issues people wish to see in the code’s update.

A public comment period is also scheduled from fall 2026 to winter 2027. Code updates are predicted to be completed by March 2028.

The weight of Prop 12

Proposition 12 is another, related phrase on plenty of pork sector lips as the code update continues.

The piece of California state legislation — also called the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative — states that veal calves, breeding pigs and egg laying hens need to be housed in ways that comply with certain standards for freedom of movement, cage-free design and specified minimum floor space.

The weeks and months prior to the legislation coming into force featured heated discussion on how Canada’s pork production would play with Prop 12.

What’s to come?

Speaking at the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium in November, Heckbert told industry attendees that he expected enrichment and possibly more sustainability guidelines to find their way into the new code. He also stressed that the conversations were keeping farm economics in mind.

“My real hope is that we avoid any enormous infrastructure change with this code. The shift to group housing has been enough of an infrastructure change … That would be my number one,” he told symposium attendees.

In more recent comments to the C0-operator, he noted that details of the code will be decided by the Canadian Pork Council, the National Farm Animal Care Council and the code committee members.

“This will be a collaborative process,” he said. “It’s one of the great things about working with NFACC, because everyone understands that there are animal welfare desires, and there is also the economic viability and stability of the industry. A lot of conversations are going to happen around that table,” he said.

The NFACC’s beef cattle, equine, sheep and poultry codes are also being updated. — With files from Janelle Rudolph

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‘In-ovo sexing’ refers to the use of technology to gender-type chicken embryos before they hatch to avoid the standard practice of euthanizing day-old male chicks. Male-determined eggs are removed from setters in the second third of the incubation period, which is believed to be before embryos have developed the ability to feel pain.

NestFresh announced on Dec. 17 it had delivered a flock of in-ovo sexed chicks to a farm in Texas. It will begin marking eggs in June.

“By being the first U.S. egg company to adopt in-ovo sexing technology, we are tackling one of the most difficult ethical issues in egg production and raising the standard for animal welfare—starting before our hens are even born,” said Jasen Urena, executive vice president of NestFresh, in a news release.

NestFresh uses a German-designed system called CHEGGY, which analyzes light spectra to determine sex based on feather colour, the company said.

CHEGGY is one of several technologies developed in recent years for in-ovo sexing. Some European countries, like France and Germany, have banned killing of day-old male chicks, which has forced producers to raise the roosters for slaughter.

In Canada, Egg Farmers of Ontario has supported development and commercialization of a similar technology, called Hypereye. That technology is in its final stages of development, according to an October article in Canadian Poultry.

—Updated Jan. 14, 2025. Corrects paragraph second paragraph to say male-sexed eggs are removed in the second third of the incubation period.

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Bill C-275 would amend the Health of Animals Act and make it illegal for anyone to unlawfully enter a barn or building where livestock are kept.

The private member’s bill was sponsored by Conservative agriculture critic John Barlow and passed in the House of Commons last fall with support from both opposition and government members.

Since the Senate committee began its study earlier this year, it has heard repeatedly that the bill should apply to everyone.

Last week, legal and scientific experts said the bill is entirely about trespassers.

Jodi Lazare, associate professor and associate dean at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law, said courts look at what a law actually does.

“It’s quite clear that this bill is about shutting down activism and trespass, about protecting animal agriculture. In fact, it has been explicitly stated a few times now that this bill is about the protection of private property,” she said during testimony.

The bill doesn’t actually target the most likely sources of risk, which are the people who are lawfully entitled to be in the barn, she said.

University of Toronto law professor Angela Fernandez agreed.

“The legally present people are the problem in terms of biosecurity,” she said, adding there is a real risk that this bill, if passed, would be challenged.

Lazare added courts will look behind the name or function of a law to examine why it was passed and its practical effects. Laws have been found invalid on that basis, she said.

However, senator Don Plett said there would have been lawyers among the MPs who supported the bill. He suggested it could be improved.

Lazare said applying it to everyone would make it about biosecurity.

Amy Greer, associate professor in the department of population medicine at the University of Guelph, said she was sympathetic to the mental stress and anguish experienced by farmers who have found activists or trespassers in their barns.

However, she too said the biosecurity risk is low. The actual risk of a pathogen being introduced is the combination of the probability of transmission given an effective contact and the frequency that effective contact occurs.

“Even for easily transmitted pathogens, the current frequency of these trespass occurrences at a national scale, to me, would be incredibly low compared to the frequency of the occurrence of farm contacts for lawful reasons,” she told the committee. “As a result, the biosecurity risk associated with these trespass events is very low.”

Jan Hajek, clinical assistant professor and infectious disease specialist at the University of British Columbia, said he is among the 20 specialists who last year sent a letter expressing their concern about Bill C-275.

“The doctors were concerned that the way this bill was promoted misrepresented infectious disease risk and misused people’s genuine concern about biosecurity to pass additional anti-trespass legislation,” he said.

“In stating the need for this bill, some individuals repeatedly made unfounded claims that trespassers introduced infectious diseases on farm and pointed to devastating impact of diseases like BSE, or mad cow disease, a disease whose introduction had nothing to do with trespass.”

Hajek said the bill is unlikely to improve the health of animals but added trespass must remain illegal.

Government officials from Agriculture Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency noted that trespass is largely a provincial jurisdiction. Dr. Mary Jane Ireland, chief veterinary officer, said six provinces have passed enhanced legislation to prohibit trespassing where animals are kept.

Senators heard that biosecurity standards are voluntary and depend on species and individual producers. The CFIA does not track this information.

“We all agree biosecurity on farms is important, which is why I’m disquieted to hear you say that our standards are voluntary and that you’re not tracking the data,” said Alberta senator Paula Simons.

“So we don’t actually know how big the problems are. It would seem to be common sense that the bigger source of contamination might be from farmers not observing any standards than from protesters who have never been shown to track disease onto farms.”

Plett disagreed that trespassers have never caused a problem, citing the appearance of rotavirus for the first time in 40 years after protesters appeared on a Quebec hog farm and distemper at a mink farm in Ontario.

—Updated Oct. 6.

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Australia is one of the world’s biggest agricultural exporters and farmers nationwide are increasingly angry with the centre-left Labor government that has sought to ban exports of live sheep, restrict water use and accelerate construction of renewable power and transmission in rural areas.

“We deserve to be respected,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Jochinke told a crowd on the lawn in front of Australia’s federal parliament in Canberra.

“There are alternative voices that are united against us. We don’t think they are the ones that should be setting the policy,” he said. “We feel like we are getting stiffed.”

The government did not send a representative to the rally. Agriculture minister Julie Collins told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) the government was committed to listening and had helped farmers by expanding overseas market access and investing in biosecurity.

The NFF said more than 2,000 people attended what was its first nationwide rally of farmers in the capital since the 1980s.

The protest is part of a wave of unrest in Europe and elsewhere aimed at governments imposing environmental regulation that farmers say burdens them with red tape and higher costs, as well as limiting their ability to farm.

“Our message is clear: talk to us,” Jochinke said.

Federal elections are due in Australia by May next year and farm lobby leaders say they will try to eject Labor by raising money and targeting marginal seats.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton told the rally he would reverse a ban on live sheep exports and the opposition agriculture spokesman said he was against water restrictions.

“We have your backs,” Dutton said.

Australian farmers have seen several years of bumper production thanks to plentiful rain, but pessimism is rife.

“Under this government there’s no future for agriculture in Australia,” said Will Croker, a 32-year-old livestock farmer from New South Wales. “It’s not right.”

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