Mr. Speaker, the second petition was initiated by a Vancouver East constituent. They have gathered signatures to raise concerns about cows and their calves that continue to be routinely separated shortly after the calves' birth, often enduring extreme emotional and psychological stress. They note that many Canadians are unaware of this practice and would become concerned about the welfare impacts on these cows and calves if informed and would support regulatory protections accordingly.
The current dairy cattle code of practice permits the separation of cows and calves shortly after birth without requiring consideration of the resulting emotional and psychological distress. Amending the current dairy cattle code of practice with respect to the separation of cows and calves, to extend this to a mandatory six-month bonding period where the cow and her calf are not separated, would better align Canadian dairy practices with public expectations for animal welfare.
As such, the petitioners call on the Government of Canada, through the Minister of Agriculture—