The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) will be updating the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Sheep. The update was initiated by the Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) and will be guided by NFACC’s Code development process.
The NFACC said in a release the Code development process includes a survey, launched at the outset of each Code, to capture top-of-mind welfare concerns from any and all stakeholders. Input received will help the Code Development Committee understand the kinds of issues people wish to see considered in the update. Everyone is invited to participate; the survey for this Code will be open until July 25, 2024 and is available at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/sheep.
Fred Baker, CSF board member and Code Committee chair said the updated code will guide the Canadian sheep industry in the production of market lambs, breeding stock, milk and wool for the next decade.
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Canada’s Codes of Practice provide critical guidance for the care and handling of farm animals, said the NFACC.
“The NFACC Code development process supports people with varied views on animal welfare to come together with a shared commitment and common goal of achievable advances in farm animal welfare,” Hans Kristensen, chair of NFACC said in the release. “Codes of Practice support progress in animal welfare and the sustainability of Canadian animal agriculture.”
Five Codes – beef cattle, equine, pig, sheep, and poultry – are being updated. The pullet and layer Code is being amended. More details and a timeline outlining the steps and progress made on the respective Codes can be found here.
