National Farm Animal Care Council / Le Conseil national pour les soins aux animaux d’élevage

Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle - Q&A

Q: What is the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle?

A: Codes of Practice are nationally developed guidelines for the care and handling of farm animals. The Codes serve as our national understanding of farm animal care requirements and recommended practices. Beef producers follow the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle.

Q: Why is the Beef Code of Practice being updated?

A: The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle was released in 2013.  The beef cattle Code’s 5-year review was completed in 2018, and the outcome of that review can be found here on NFACC’s website.

Since then, science has advanced, public interest in agriculture has changed and practices have evolved. As a result, an update to the beef cattle Code was initiated in 2023. An updated Code will allow industry, the public and others to communicate based on an updated understanding of how beef cattle are cared for in Canada.

This is one way to address customer, consumer, retail and public concerns about how Canadian beef cattle are raised.  Industry leadership on this initiative is the preferred option over government regulation.  

Q: How is the Beef Cattle Code being updated?

A: The National Farm Animal Care Council has a process in place to update existing Codes or draft new Codes.  The process involves two committees:  The Code Committee and Scientists Committee.  The Code Committee is the group that drafts the new Code.  The Scientists Committee does a review of the literature for the priority welfare issues.  This report informs the drafting work of the Code Committee. More information on the Code development process can be found here.  

Q: Who is involved?

A: The Code Committee includes beef producers, researchers, as well as representatives from the transportation, veterinary, humane societies, animal enforcement, and government sectors.  The current Code Committee is made up of fifteen individuals and its members are listed here. The Code Committee is also supported by a six-member Scientific Committee, whose members are listed here.

Q: When will the new Code be completed?

A: The aim is for the second quarter of 2027.

Q: Do producers or the public get to have a say in this?

A: The Code Committee is built to be representative of all stakeholders in beef production in Canada today.  The Code content itself will be open to public comment beginning on April 13^th, 2026. Press releases will go out at the beginning of that comment period.  

The Public Comment Period is an important opportunity to contribute to and improve the draft Code of Practice. Your voice, as members of stakeholder groups and the public, is essential and the Code Committee looks forward to receiving your input. Click here to learn more about the Public Comment Period.

Q: How are Codes used in Canada?

A: Several ways.  Producers and industry use the Code as a guideline and baseline for beef cattle care. It is also used as a reference when there are animal welfare cases.  It can be used for education (of new producers and others interested in beef production).  The Code can be the basis for other programs including on farm assessment if customers ask for proof of how cattle are raised.

Q: What will this change on my farm or ranch?

A: Farmers and ranchers will still be the ones responsible for the way their animals are raised.  An updated Code will not change that.  At present the beef Code is not mandatory and not audited but if cattle are in distress the Code is one tool enforcement officers will use to measure the owner’s care. What is possible and optimum in production agriculture is always evolving.  Codes of Practice gather the current research and bring it together with practicality, regulations and laws, and public expectation.  All producers should read through the completed Code to see what content is relevant to their operation. 

Most producers will likely already be doing the things the Code either requires or recommends.  The committee is working on a consensus basis to ensure the Code is practical, informed by science and by the expectations of consumers, the public, processors and beef sellers.

Q: Is the Code a government regulation?

A: No.  Codes serve as educational tools, reference materials for regulations, and the foundation for animal care assessment programs. Most Canadian provinces incorporate the Codes by reference into their animal protection regulations. On the whole, Codes provide a standard for generally recognized practices that provincial enforcement officers utilize when assessing distress. In most provinces, Code requirements do not need to be explicitly followed by law, but can be used as evidence that an offence has occurred (i.e., distress has been caused). Animal protection officers in most provinces cannot directly enforce the requirements.

Q: Who is paying for all of this?

A: Code of Practice updates initiated from 2023 to 2028 are part of the project: Promoting Sustainable Animal Welfare Advances Through Codes of Practice – a project which has financial support provided through the AgriAssurance Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.