New Code nears the finish line

Posted: November 26, 2015

Four things to know

Work on new Codes of Practice for Canada continues at a steady pace through the process facilitated by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC). The latest progress in the stretch drive is a new Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens and Turkeys.

Here's a look at four key aspects:

1. Industry championed progress. All the major national producer organizations are on board with this effort, which was instigated in fall 2011.

2. Priority welfare issues. Key issues addressed in this process include:

• Air and litter quality (broilers, broiler breeders, turkeys)
• Lighting regimens (broilers, turkeys)
• Stocking density (broilers, broiler breeders, turkeys)
• Lameness (broilers, broiler breeders, turkeys)
• Methods of euthanasia (all, including unhatched eggs)
• Aggression (broiler breeders – males)
• Feather-pecking and cannibalism (broiler breeders, turkeys)

3. Public comment period ends Dec. 4. The public comment period for the draft Code is now open until Dec. 4. This period is designed to allow stakeholders - poultry producers, consumers and others with an interest in the welfare of poultry – to view the draft Code and provide input to the final Code.

The draft Code and the public comment system are available at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/chickens-turkeys-and-breeders. All comments must be submitted through the online system.

"The Code Development Committee has worked hard since 2011 developing the draft Code," says Vernon Froese, poultry producer and Chair of the Code Development Committee. "The public comment period will allow us to check our work with a broader representative group. Since it will fall primarily to producers to implement the Code, it is important for producers to review the draft Code and to respond with informed, rational, and constructive input."

4. 'Our national understanding.' According to NFACC, "Codes of Practice serve as our national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices." The Codes cover housing, feed and water, handling, euthanasia, transport and other important management practices.

More information on the Code development process is available at nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice.