The BC SPCA is Helping to Make a Change
In 2009, a new Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle was published and the BC SPCA represented Canada's SPCAs on the development committee, achieving an extremely progressive new standard for the welfare of dairy cattle in Canada.
 The Codes of Practice lay out the expectations for standards of care to be provided to farm animals in Canada. Dairy Farmers of Canada expects all of their members to implement the Code on their farms and the Codes are used to determine what constitutes "reasonable and generally accepted practices" in investigations launched under BC's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The 2009 Code for dairy cattle is a vast improvement over the previous Code, which had not been updated in nearly 20 years.
The Code now stipulates 60 clear requirements, rather than just recommendations, including the following highlights:
Dairy Cattle must not be tailed docked unless medically necessary.
Pain control must be used when dehorning, disbudding, or castrating.
Pain control must be used if branding is necessary.
Electric cattle prods must only be used in extreme situations, such as when animal or human safety is at risk, and must never be used on the face, anus or reproductive organs of dairy cattle.
Bare concrete platforms or hard rubber mats without bedding are unacceptable surfaces for the humane housing of cows.
Housing must allow calves to easily stand up, lie down, turn around, adopt normal resting postures, and have visual contact with other calves.
Cattle that are sick, injured, in pain, or suffering must be provided with prompt medical care, or be euthanized. Cattle with untreatable conditions, not responding to treatment, or not fit for transport must be promptly euthanized.
Non-ambulatory animals, animals with a body condition score indicating emaciation, or weakness, or animals with severe lameness must not be transported, except for veterinary treatment or diagnosis.
The entire Code can be downloaded on the National Farm Animal Care Council's website.
Ensuring Welfare On Farms
While the Codes are referenced in various provincial animal cruelty laws, there is still no on-farm assessment system in place to verify that they are being adhered to. The BC SPCA and its national partner, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, have been asking all of Canada's farm animal industries to implement such programs and they will continue to encourage Dairy Farmers of Canada to work towards this goal. In the meantime, the BC SPCA continues to operate SPCA Certified, a certified assurance to consumers that certified food products come from farms where high standards of welfare are provided. The SPCA Certified Standards ensure that dairy cattle are provided with requirements found in the new Codes and further welfare requirements such as access to the outside in dry seasons.
To learn more, explore our website for information on the housing and welfare of Canada's dairy cattle, and SPCA Certified, including where you can find our products.
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