Saputo Implements Progressive Animal Welfare Policy

02 Jun 2015 --- Saputo Inc. has announced the implementation of a progressive Animal Welfare Policy and recent agreements concluded with the University of Guelph (Canada) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA). Through these initiatives, Saputo reinforces its commitment to bringing industry leaders and dairy farmers together to improve animal care.

The Saputo Animal Welfare Policy is based on core principles and scientific evidence. It was developed through extensive consultations with customers, dairy producers, veterinarians, governmental authorities, universities and other industry stakeholders across the Saputo value chain. The Policy was created by Saputo’s key leaders and its newly appointed Director of Animal Welfare, Dr. Warren Skippon, formerly of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. Key elements of the Policy include:
•    zero tolerance for any act of animal cruelty;
•    a commitment to achieving the elimination of tail docking in dairy cattle; and
•    the dedication of resources to ensuring a minimum industry standard for pain control when dehorning or disbudding cattle.

The Policy states Saputo’s commitment to supporting initiatives and programs that promote communication, awareness and training opportunities for dairy production welfare issues. The Company will provide additional resources to two leading North American university programs that specialize in dairy animal handling and welfare.

As such, the new Saputo Dairy Care Program will be offered at the University of Guelph through the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare and the Ontario Veterinary College. This program focuses on providing practical dairy welfare education, including workshops, to veterinary students, veterinary practitioners, and dairy producers.

Additionally, Saputo is proud to contribute to funding two important initiatives at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine:
•    the Dairyland Initiative, which provides resources, consulting services and workshops to develop animal welfare-friendly housing for dairy cattle, and making each of these important tools accessible to all dairy producers and participating professionals across the world;
•    the development of the LifeStep Program that will focus on low-stress cattle handling approaches, lameness prevention and end of life management.