Elite Farm Services Ltd. and Sofina Foods Inc./Aliments Sofina Inc. fined $300,000 each for offences under the Health of Animals Act and Regulations
January 17, 2022, Ottawa
Elite Farm Services Ltd. and Sofina Foods Inc. pled guilty and were convicted of two counts each for contravening section 139(2) of the Health of Animals Regulations at British Columbia Provincial Court, in New Westminster, B.C., on December 14, 2021.
Elite Farm Services Ltd. and Sofina Inc. were sentenced to pay a fine of $300,000 each. In addition to the fines, Elite Farm Services Ltd. and Sofina Foods Inc. were also sentenced to a three year probation order that requires increased employee training and third-party audits.
The specific charges state that between May 10, 2017, and June 8, 2017, Elite Farm Services Ltd. and Sofina Foods Inc. unlawfully loaded or caused to be loaded an animal (chickens) in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to them, which is contrary to section 139(2)of the Health of Animals Regulations.
At the close of the sentencing hearing, the Crown stayed all of the remaining charges against Elite Farm Services Ltd., Dwayne Paul Dueck, and Sofina Foods Inc./Aliments Sofina Inc. under section 139(1) and 139(2) of the Health of Animal Regulations.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for the administration and enforcement of federal legislation, acts and regulations, including the Health of Animals Regulations. The CFIA is dedicated to safeguarding food, animal, and plant health, which enhances the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment, and economy.
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