December 7, 2012, Edmundston: On November 13, 2012, in New Brunswick Provincial Court, Nadeau Poultry Farm (located in Saint-François-de-Madawaska, NB) entered guilty pleas to several counts of contravening Section 143. (1)(d) & (e) of the Health of Animals Regulations.
In accepting a joint recommendation proposed by the Crown and Defence Counsel, the Honourable Judge Sivret imposed fines of $3500 per count totalling $35000.00.
Section 143. (1) of the Health of Animals Regulations states:
“No person shall transport or cause to be transported any animal in a railway car, motor vehicle, aircraft, vessel, crate or container if injury or undue suffering is likely to be caused to the animal by reason of
(d) undue exposure to the weather; or
(e) inadequate ventilation”
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s investigation determined that between 2007 and 2010, Nadeau Poultry Farm had transported chickens in a motor vehicle which caused injury or undue suffering to the animals by reason of undue exposure to the weather and/or inadequate ventilation.
During sentencing, the Crown submitted a history report for Nadeau Poultry Farm Ltd regarding violations of the Health of Animals Regulations since 2002. These previous violations were dealt with under the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, and totalled several thousand dollars in penalties over the last 10 years.
The CFIA enforces federal legislation including the Health of Animals Act and its Regulations. The CFIA safeguards food, animals and plants which enhances the health and well-being of Canada’s people, environment and economy, and access to international markets.
