Animal welfare

Animal welfare, at the heart of Valens Farms' values

Animal welfare" meansmeans the physical and mental state of an animal in relation to the conditions in which it lives and diest". At Valens Farms, the animal cause is a priority. It is part of our essential daily and long-term commitments. We make sure that our animals can benefit from the healthiest possible diet adapted to their needs. We make sure that they have the most natural habitat possible to let them act according to their natural behavior.

 

 

Excellent breeding conditions

The poultry are free range and have access to the outdoors whenever the weather permits (free range and organic only). Our cattle are fed from our crops, and roam the pastures in the summer. We adapt their food every season and guarantee for the organic animals a food without pesticides, without GMO and without synthetic fertilizers, for a nutritional contribution with the closest to their natural needs. We make sure that our animals are free of antibiotics and growth hormones. We have the Ecocert Canada organic certification and we take particular care to follow the conditions of a breeding in the respect and the well-being of the animal. 

The 5 fundamental freedoms of animal welfare 

Quebec's Animal Welfare and Safety Act (2015) guarantees the respect of strict rules for animals, from their daily care (nutrition, habitat) to their safety (transportation, veterinary care) throughout their lives. In order to guarantee animal welfare and to be as close as possible to their natural biological needs, 5 criteria must be respected (according to the UPA of Quebec) :

• Absence of hunger, thirst and malnutrition: the animal must have unlimited access to water for drinking and be fed in sufficient quantity to meet its daily nutritional needs. The quality of their food is also a determining point in the good health of the animal;

• Absence of fear and distress: If moved, it must be transported in a suitable vehicle (ventilation, space, security) according to the conditions of the Health of Animals Act of 1990. The Meat Inspection Act (1985) also sets out strict rules regarding slaughter (stress, procedure);

• Absence of physical and thermal stress: the habitat must be clean, well lit, protected from heat or cold, and large enough to allow the animal to move freely;

• Absence of pain, lesions and diseases: it must be able to receive the appropriate veterinary care in case of injury or suffering. No mistreatment of the animal: cruelty falls under the Criminal Code established by the Federal Law of the country;

• Possibility for the animal to express the normal behaviors of its species: all animals must be able to react according to their instincts, as easily as possible. The habitat, the nutrition, the relationship with man, everything must be made to fit as well as possible with its primary behavior.