Animal Care Assessment Model
Building confidence, providing assurance
ACAM and the Codes of Practice
The Codes of Practice are vital, but alone are not enough – a mechanism is needed to demonstrate that Codes are being followed in order to build confidence throughout the value chain.
The Animal Care Assessment Model (ACAM) provides a credible process to follow when developing an animal care assessment program.
Key goals for the ACAM
- Enhance the transparency, legitimacy and credibility of assessment programs developed according to the Model
- Ensure consistency of communications along the value chain
- Further develop Canada’s own cooperative approach to farm animal care, an approach that can be communicated nationally and internationally, and that builds upon existing initiatives
- Assist commodity groups in developing or revising an animal care program by providing an informed framework and useful resources
The ACAM should also ensure that animal care assessment programs provide benefits to both farmers and the animals under their care.
“The value in the ACAM approach to retailers and foodservice companies is that it
outlines
a credible, multi-stakeholder process that confers credibility on
commodity groups using it.”
– David Smith, ACAM Steering Committee and SPC of Retail Strategy and Sustainability, Sobeys Inc.
Click diagram to enlarge
Project Timeline
| 2005 | NFACC initiates discussions on the value of an ACAM | |
| 2008 | NFACC partners agree to proceed with the development of an ACAM | |
| 2009 | Initial draft ACAM developed | |
| 2011 | Steering committee organized to finalize ACAM First ACAM stakeholders workshop (summary) Dairy Farmers of Canada test pilot the draft ACAM with the development of their animal care assessment program | |
| 2012 | Draft dairy animal care assessment program developed | |
| 2012-13 | On-farm pilot of dairy animal care assessment program | |
| 2013 | Second ACAM stakeholders workshop | |
| 2014 | The ACAM is finalized |
Steering Committee
The committee provides guidance and support in revising and finalizing the ACAM. Committee members:
- Thérèse Beaulieu, Dairy Farmers of Canada
- Jorge Correa, Canadian Meat Council
- Anne Marie de Passillé, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Jennifer Gardner, Chicken Farmers of Canada
- Pierre Lampron, Dairy Farmers of Canada (as of October 2012)
- Penny Lawlis, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Ryder Lee, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
- David Murray, Dairy Farmers of Canada (as of October 2012)
- Ed Pajor, University of Calgary
- Catherine Scovil, Canadian Pork Council
- David Smith, Sobeys Inc.
- Geoff Urton, BC SPCA / Canadian Federation of Humane Societies
- Tina Widowski, University of Guelph
- Jennifer Woods, J. Woods Livestock Services
Past members
- Pauline Duivenvoorden, Dairy Farmers of Canada (2011-2012)
- Bruno Letendre, Dairy Farmers of Canada (2011-2012)
The ACAM is being supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Flexibility Fund, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.