Public comment period for draft beef cattle Code of Practice ends March 8
REMINDER NOTICE: The draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle is available for public comment until March 8, 2013. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) announced the launch of the public comment period on January 8, 2013.
The draft Code can be viewed and submissions made through NFACC’s web site at nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/beef-cattle. All submissions must be made through the online system and easy to follow instructions are provided.
A Scientists’ Committee report summarizing research on priority welfare topics for beef cattle can be found alongside the draft Code online. This peer-reviewed report aided the Code Development Committee in preparing the draft Code of Practice. The Scientists’ Committee included researchers with expertise in beef cattle behaviour, health, and welfare.
The beef cattle Code is one of eight Codes of Practice currently under revision as part of a multi-year NFACC project. Codes of Practice serve as our national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices. It is important Codes be scientifically informed, practical, and reflect societal expectations for responsible farm animal care. The beef cattle Code covers housing, health, feed and water, handling, euthanasia, transport and other important management practices.
The draft Code was developed over the past two and a half years by a 16-person Code Development Committee comprised of nominated individuals from across Canada. The Committee includes producers, animal welfare and enforcement representatives, researchers, veterinarians, and government representatives.
The final beef cattle Code of Practice will be released in June 2013. More information on the Code development process is available at nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice.
Funding for the Codes of Practice is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Flexibility Fund, under the Addressing Domestic and International Market Expectations Relative to Farm Animal Welfare initiative, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
