Activism verdict an issue of food safety - farmers prepared to respond

GUELPH, ON, May 3, 2017 /CNW/ - Farm & Food Care Ontario, Ontario Pork, Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario will release a joint statement tomorrow in response to the anticipated verdict by Justice David Harris on Anita Krajnc's charge for criminal mischief related to interfering with farm animals while in transit. Representatives from the four organizations will also be in attendance for the verdict at the courthouse and available to talk to media at its conclusion.

The charges relate to interfering with farm animals while in transit which puts food safety and animal welfare at risk. Ontario farmers work hard to provide high standards of animal care and quality food for Canadians. They support the right to peaceful protest, but not to interfere with farm animals.

Ontario farm organizations are concerned that activists will continue to engage in such activities that are a growing threat to animal welfare, food security and human safety. These activists are putting livestock, farm families, communities and farmers' livelihoods at risk.

Farm & Food Care Ontario is a coalition of farmers, agriculture and food partners proactively working together to build public trust and confidence in food and farming. Find out more at www.FarmFoodCareON.org

Ontario Pork represents the 1,284 farmers who raise pigs in the province. The organization focuses on many areas, including research, government representation, environmental issues, consumer education and food quality assurance. The Ontario industry contributes $932.8 million in gross domestic product, $2.7 billion in economic output and 17,015 full-time job equivalents. Visit Ontario Pork's website: www.ontariopork.on.ca.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 36,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario's farmers and is Ontario's voice of the farmer. www.ofa.on.ca

The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) is a professional organization for families called to the vocation of farming. The CFFO values family farm enterprise, profitability, and responsible stewardship of resources. CFFO policy promotes economically, socially and environmentally sustainable farming, advocating that farmers receive fair return for their production and stewardship efforts. www.christianfarmers.org

SOURCE Farm & Food Care Ontario

Kelly Daynard, Communications Manager, Farm & Food Care Ontario - www.farmfoodcareON.org, 519-837-1326; Stacey Ash, Manager Communications and Consumer Marketing, Ontario Pork - www.ontariopork.on.ca, 519-820-3119; [email protected]; Clarence Nywening, President, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario - www.christianfarmers.org, 519-837-1620; Pat Jilesen, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture - www.ofa.on.ca, 519-386-1330