NFACC Information Update February 2026
In this issue:
- New NFACC Conversations Podcast Released
- Updates on Codes of Practice Under Revision
- The “NFACC Method” Garners National and International Interest
NEW NFACC CONVERSATIONS PODCAST RELEASED
NFACC is pleased to announce the release of NFACC Conversations Podcast’s third episode entitled “What’s involved in a Code update?” This episode features an in-depth interview with Equine Code Committee Chair, Dr. Bettina Bobsien, and Equine Code Scientific Committee Chair, Dr. Kathleen MacMillan. Bettina and Kathleen tell the story of the equine Code update from their perspectives as core participants in the process. Listeners will get a “behind the scenes” peek that highlights the challenges and successes along the way, along with helping stakeholders understand the role they play in a Code’s Public Comment Period, which is currently underway for the equine Code. This episode of the NFACC Conversation podcast was hosted and produced by ACER Consulting.
Episode three, as well as past episodes, are available on NFACC’s website here or through Podbean, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
UPDATES ON CODES OF PRACTICE UNDER REVISION
Equine Code Update
The draft equine Code Public Comment Period (PCP) was launched on January 12th, 2026. Information regarding the PCP can be found on the equine Code landing page. The survey will be open for comment until March 12th, 2026. The equine Code Committee (CC) would like to encourage and thank all participants in advance for contributing directly to the Code update.
In addition, the Scientific Committee’s peer-reviewed report on priority welfare issues was published alongside the draft Code and is available here. Following the close of the PCP, CC members will begin a careful, systematic review of all submitted comments. They will then schedule and plan to meet in-person (April) for the first of two post-PCP sessions to address all received feedback.
Previous progress updates can be found here.
Beef Cattle Code Update
Preparations for the beef cattle Code’s public comment period continue. The date has been rescheduled to April 13, 2026. Thank you for your patience. The public comment period is an important opportunity to contribute to and improve the draft Code of Practice. Your voice is essential and we look forward to receiving your input.
Previous progress updates can be found here.
Sheep Code Update
Following the December meeting, the final chapter of the Scientific Committee (SC) report was presented to the Code Committee (CC). Peer review of the full report is underway and is expected to be completed by April 2026.
As the project moves into the final run up to the Public Comment Period (PCP), the committee is now commencing detailed document review and refinement activities, with a target of having a draft ready to begin preparation for public comment in early May.
In parallel, the CC is engaging in targeted stakeholder consultations to help inform its final deliberations. The next meeting of the CC is scheduled for mid-April.
Previous progress updates can be found here.
Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens, and Turkeys Code Update
Subcommittee and full Code Committee (CC) work has continued since the November meeting, with virtual meetings and document review activities ongoing. Initial subcommittee review of the transport section began in January, with other initial reviews slated to commence over the coming months.
The first quarter will also see the remaining Scientific Committee chapters presented via virtual sessions, completing presentation of the full report. One of the seven chapters was presented previously, with the remaining six scheduled to be presented ahead of the April meeting.
The coming months will focus on maintaining momentum through efficient workflows and clear prioritisation. The next meeting of the CC is scheduled for early April.
Previous progress updates can be found here.
Pig Code Update
The full pig Code Committee (CC) is meeting monthly to work through assigned sections of the Code. To facilitate the large, virtual group meetings, CC members are asked to submit proposed changes and comments regarding the assigned chapter sections on a shared document prior to the meeting so each member can consider all proposed comments and changes beforehand. All comments and proposed changes are discussed collectively at the group meetings. The CC has implemented a green, yellow, red approach to decision making so each CC member can signal their level of comfort with a proposed change being discussed.
The Scientific Committee (SC) is finalizing the enrichment priority welfare issue chapter, which will be available to the CC by the end of January. The SC will be focusing on the housing chapter next. A full list of the Priority Welfare Issues that will make up the SC’s report is available here.
A small group of subject matter experts is looking at the Transport chapter of the pig Code and will bring their proposed revisions to the CC to review in March at our next in-person meeting.
Previous progress updates can be found here.
THE “NFACC METHOD” GARNERS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INTEREST
There has been increasing interest in NFACC and Canada’s unique approach to developing animal welfare standards (i.e., Codes of Practice).
In January, NFACC’s Division Director was invited to speak to the United States Animal Health Association’s (USAHA) Animal Welfare Committee about how NFACC came into being and how it supports the development of Codes of Practice in Canada. Subsequently, an invitation was extended to speak to the U.S. National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials (NASAHO) in early February. At both events there was a keen interest in how Canada has nurtured and developed credible national farm animal welfare standards and how the U.S. could initiate a similar journey.
A little closer to home, PAACO also recently hosted a webinar, “Codes of Practice for Farmed Animals: a deep dive into the process”. In it, the host, Jennifer Woods, and NFACC Division Director, Jackie Wepruk, also discussed their reflections on the value NFACC and the Codes bring to livestock and poultry sectors. The webinar is available through PAACO’s Continuing Education page under “PAACO Webinars.”
If you have an event or meeting where you’d like NFACC and its impact within the farm animal welfare landscape to be featured, please contact us at info@nfacc.ca.
Financial support was provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the AgriAssurance program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Questions or comments? Contact us at info@nfacc.ca.
NFACC is a division of Animal Health Canada
