Sheep
Update initiated Jan 2011
- Current Code of Practice for the care and handling of Sheep (1995) | Factsheet
- Media Release Revisions to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Sheep Underway | 21 Mar 2011
Code Development Progress
Revisions to the Code of Practice for Sheep, using the NFACC Code development process, are slated for completion in summer 2013. For an overview of where the Code is in the development process click on the following links:
Priority Welfare Issues List
The priority welfare issues are species specific and manageable topics that are considered to be important for animal welfare and will particularly benefit from a review of the available scientific literature.
The Code Development Committee (CDC) and the Scientific Committee (SC) each identify their respective lists. Once complete, the committees come together to collectively finalize the priority welfare issues for the species. The SC then reviews the scientific literature for each priority welfare issue and develops a report synthesizing the research results, summarizing the consensus (if any), and identifying any gaps requiring further research. See full SC Terms of Reference.
The CDC uses the SC report to develop requirements and recommendations around the priority welfare issues in the Code of Practice.
Following is the priority welfare issues list for the Sheep Code of Practice update:
- Neonatal care up to and including weaning
- Low Stress Management and Handling
- Painful Procedures
- Accelerated lambing
- Methods of Euthanasia
- Is snow an adequate source of water, if so during what conditions (production stage)
- Flooring types
Note: other welfare topics for the species will be covered by the CDC. The priority welfare issue list is comprised of issues that would particularly benefit from a review of the available scientific literature.
Committees
Sheep Code Development Committee members
Participants are defined as per NFACC’s Code of Practice guidelines.
| Role | Committee Member | |
| Code Secretary | Nadine Meade | |
| Producer | John Hemsted (Chairman) | |
| Andrew J. Hebda | ||
| Valerie Gerber | ||
| Brian Greaves | ||
| Andrew Gordanier | ||
| Chris Eddy | ||
| Fred Baker | ||
| Transporter | Randy Scott | |
| Veterinarian | Jeff Wichtel | |
| Animal welfare organization | Carol Morgan | |
| Animal welfare regulatory enforcement body | Mike Draper | |
| Retail and food service organization | Requested but position not filled | |
| Processor | Randy Smith | |
| Agriculture Canada and/or CFIA | Nicole Cormier | |
| Technical Expertise | Anita O’Brien | |
| Researcher / academic | Michael Cockram | |
| Sébastien Buczinski | ||
| Industry Liaison (ex-officio) | Jennifer McTavish |
Sheep Scientific Committee members
- Michael Cockram (Chair)
- Paula Menzies
- David M. Barrett
- John Hemsted
- Brooke Aitken (Research Writer)