SAINT-HYACINTHE, QC, Sept. 17, 2014 /CNW/ - Mario Maillet, president of Ecolait Ltd., with headquarters in Saint-Hyacinthe, is proud to announce the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island aimed at evolving Ecolait's animal welfare practices into a global standard.
This comprehensive research program, approved by Dr. Daniel Hurnick, professor and researcher at the Department of Health Management of the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island, will bring together the best researchers in the areas of animal protection, animal welfare, herd health studies, housing design, medication trials, and meat quality. This agreement affirms the desire of both parties to forge a concrete and enduring alliance that will turn this Quebec industry into a true model. In addition to advancing research for the industry, the partnership will lead to the drafting of training manuals and specifications and to the implementation of husbandry protocols intended for producers. "Quebec's milk-fed veal industry must not only in the short term continue to meet international animal welfare standards, but must also become a model on a global scale, and quickly. Given the quality of our researchers, the quality of our workforce and the desire of both consumers and producers, Ecolait is poised to become a model for the entire industry" concludes Mario Maillet, president of Ecolait Ltd.
A ten-year collective agreement incorporating animal welfare: A first in Quebec
A first concrete step has been taken, demonstrating the firm resolve of Ecolait's employees and management to act now for animal welfare. For the first time in Quebec, a ten-year collective agreement incorporating animal welfare has just been signed by both parties. Employees agree to respect all the procedures implemented as part of the research program, while management undertakes to provide them with the required tools and training.
About Ecolait Ltd.
Founded nearly 30 years ago in Quebec and operating plants in Ontario and the United States, Ecolait provides a complete range of veal products. In collaboration with more than one hundred family farms and some 300 employees in Quebec, the company serves a number of agri-food distribution networks for retail sales, in addition to HRI networks. Having espoused corporate social responsibility values since its inception, Ecolait will put in place by the end of 2014 a series of concrete measures aimed at fulfilling its commitment to becoming a North American model and standard for animal welfare values.
Image with caption: "Écolait announce the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island aimed at evolving Ecolait’s animal welfare practices into a global standard (CNW Group/Souveraineté Alimentaire inc)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140917_C3239_PHOTO_EN_5675.jpg
Image with caption: "Mario Maillet President of Écolait (CNW Group/Souveraineté Alimentaire inc)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140917_C3239_PHOTO_EN_5691.jpg
SOURCE: Écolait Ltd
Maxime Couture, (418) 933-0252, [email protected]
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