Animal care codes are an essential part of not only ensuring that best handling practices are used in barns and agricultural facilities, but they help to keep an avenue open for communication about the standards of care and welfare that animals in Canada receive right from the farmer to the end consumer.
“The Code development process helps diverse groups work together to improve the lives of farmed animals,” says Hans Kristensen, National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) chair. “Codes of Practice provide farmers with a recognized framework to demonstrate their commitment to welfare standards that are informed by science, support public trust, and are practical to implement on-farm.”
In the poultry industry, Canada’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens and Turkeys is written with this intention. Over time scientific research, societal expectations and technology advances, which means that occasionally the Code needs to be updated.
According to a news release issued by the NFACC, one such update is impending. This update was initiated by the Turkey Farmers of Canada (TFC), Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC), the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers (CHEP), and Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors (CPEP) with financial support being provided through the AgriAssurance Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The update will be guided by NFACC’s Code development process.
As a part of the development process, the Code Committee invites all stakeholders to complete a survey that is intended to capture any welfare concerns that people wish to see considered in the Code’s update. The survey for this Code will be open until October 25, 2024 and is available online.
