The public comment period for the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines ends March 12th, 2026
The public comment period for the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines ends March 12th, 2026
REMINDER NOTICE: The draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines is available for public comment until March 12th. The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and Equestrian Canada announced the launch of the public comment period on January 12th, 2026.
The draft Code can be viewed and submissions made through NFACC’s web site at https://www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/equine. All comments must be submitted through the online system, for which easy-to-follow instructions are provided. This is an important opportunity for all stakeholders with an interest in equine welfare to contribute to the Code of Practice. Like all Codes, it includes requirements and recommended practices, and participants can review the entire draft Code or easily navigate to sections most of interest to them.
A Scientific Committee report summarizing research on priority welfare topics for equids can be found alongside the draft Code online. This peer-reviewed report aided the discussions of the Code Committee as they prepared the draft Code of Practice.
Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals are the result of a unique consensus-based, multi-stakeholder approach that brings together relevant stakeholders with an interest in animal care standards. This Code’s update is led by a 15-person Code Committee that includes participants from across Canada; producers, animal welfare and enforcement officials, researchers, veterinarians, and government representatives. More information on the Code process is available here.
The equine Code is one of five Codes of Practice currently being updated. Codes of Practice serve as the national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices.
Financial support was provided through the AgriAssurance Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
