A draft update to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle is now open for public comment. The public comment period allows all stakeholders to provide their input on the proposed updates to the 2009 Code.
The draft Code and the online platform to submit comments are now accessible at the National Farm Animal Care Council website. All comments must be submitted through the online platform. The public comment period closes Jan. 27, 2022. The Code Development Committee will consider the submitted comments after the close of the comment period, and the final Code of Practice will be released in 2022.
Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals are the result of Canada’s unique consensus-based approach, which brings together all relevant stakeholders with an interest in animal care standards. They are developed by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) in collaboration with diverse stakeholders that work together on farm animal care and welfare.
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A Scientific Committee report summarizing research conclusions on priority welfare topics can be found alongside the draft Code and should be reviewed prior to making a submission. A critically important resource throughout the project, the peer-reviewed report is referenced in the draft Code of Practice at least 80 times.
“An immense amount of work has gone into this update—from reviewing the research to discussions about animal care and feasibility of different management practices. I look forward to the comments and learning if we were successful in addressing priority issues,” said Dr. Kelly Barratt in a release. She represents veterinarians for the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association with NFACC.
“I went into this process hoping that our work will have a positive impact on the animals in our care and that I could be proud of our progress. I have not been disappointed.”
Once finalized, the updated Code will promote sound management and animal care practices through recommendations and requirements for housing, feeding, handling, and other husbandry practices. DFC initiated the update to the 2009 dairy cattle Code in January 2019, utilizing NFACC’s Code development process.
The dairy cattle code is one of four codes of practice being developed as part of a multi-year NFACC project. Codes of Practice serve as the national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices for Canada. NFACC said it’s important that codes be scientifically informed, implementable by producers, and reflect societal expectations for responsible farm animal care.
