The Honorable Bob Bjornerud, Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture, was presented with the Award of Distinction in Equine Welfare Innovation 2011 at the Sask. Horse Federation (SHF) Convention banquet recently. The award was jointly sponsored by Farm Animal Council Saskatchewan (FACS) and the SHF. It recognizes an individual or an organization that has developed a new process, product or source of knowledge which has made, or is apt to have made, a significant impact in the improvement of the welfare of horses in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture receives this award in 2011, primarily but not exclusively, for it's timely review and enactment of "Amendments to the Animal Protection Act 1999, and the Animal Protection Regulations 2000, which significantly strengthens the existing legislation to provide a real deterrent to animal neglect and inhumane treatment in the province of Saskatchewan.
In the Minister's word's, "It is believed the vast majority of owners provide the necessary care for their animals, and these changes will help to reduce the number of animal neglect cases in Saskatchewan."
The SHF, and FAC recognize that the Ministry ofAgriculture, under consultative leadership, has shown itself committed in many ways to the Saskatchewan Horse Industry.
Both the Farm Animal Council Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Horse Federation have within their individual mandates the well being, humane care and handling, training and use of the horse. It is therefore most encouraging to be supported in such tangible ways.
Dr. Byrnne Rothwell of the Saskatchewan Horse Federation presented the award to the Honorable Mr. Bob Bjornerud, Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture.
