Canada’s Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals lay out national expectations for animal welfare as arrived at by consensus between the farmers, veterinarians, scientists, government agencies, SPCAs and humane societies who are members of the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC).

Requirements for farm animal care

The Codes outline minimum requirements and recommended best practice and serve as reference documents for animal cruelty laws, setting out generally accepted practices of animal management. They also form the foundation of on-farm animal welfare assurance programs operated by some farming associations and are used widely as an educational tool to inform farming professionals about sound management practices for the housing, care and transport of their animals.

Changes to Canada's Codes of Practice for farm animals

A new process for the development of Codes is in place, which involves an independent and publicly available scientific review that informs each Code’s content. The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle was the first to be redeveloped under this new process. Published in 2009, it demonstrates the value in the new process through the great number of new animal care requirements it includes – including a prohibition on tail docking and a requirement for pain relief to be used when dehorning or castrating cattle. 

In 2010 and 2011, NFACC launched revision processes for the Codes for beef cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, farmed mink and farmed fox with funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agri-Flexibility program. These Codes are slated for completion in 2013 and will aim to address issues such as:

• Housing systems and space provisions for animals

• Painful practices like castration, dehorning and tail docking

• Care and treatment for sick and injured animals

• Use of electric prods and other handling methods

• Euthanasia methods

Improving the welfare of farm animals in Canada

The BC SPCA is coordinating the participation of representatives from Canada’s SPCAs and humane societies on behalf of our national partner, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS). Our participation has been made possible by generous contributions from the Vancouver Foundation, CFHS, Ontario SPCA, Newfoundland SPCA, Nova Scotia SPCA, Regina Humane Society and Saskatoon SPCA.

Help make a better life for farm animals

The public will have an opportunity to comment on every Code before it is finalized. To ensure you do not miss out on your opportunity, sign up for our Anim@ls or FarmSense e-newsletters.

The BC SPCA Monty Fund for Community Education and Outreach provides support for prevention of cruelty to animals through education, awareness, and advocacy programs. Your gift can help can help improve the lives of millions of farm, wild and companion animals. Please donate today.