Canada’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs to be reviewed

The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs is getting an update.

Initiated by the Canadian Pork Council, the code update will be completed by the National Farm Animal Care Council. The Code was last updated in 2014, and its five-year review was initiated in 2019. The current update will be guided by NFACC’s Code development process, which includes a brief survey, launched at the outset of each Code, to capture top-of-mind welfare thoughts from any and all stakeholders.

The input received will help the Code Committee understand the kinds of issues people wish to see considered in the Code’s update. The survey for this code will open on June 4, 2025, and the NFACC said in a release that everyone is invited to participate.

“Canadian pork producers are committed to ensuring the health and well-being of all pigs under their care,” said René Roy, chair of the Canadian Pork Council, in the release.

“The Code review process is a positive step forward in helping our Code of Practice be developed with the latest scientific evidence, and we understand the importance of ongoing dialogue and discussion with our value chain partners.”

Canada’s Codes of Practice provide critical guidance for the care and handling of farm animals. The NFACC said they are reflective of our national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices and serve as educational tools, reference materials for regulations, and the foundation for farm animal care assessment programs.

Five Codes, including beef cattle, equine, pig, sheep, and poultry, are being updated. The pullet and layer Code is being amended.

More information on the code and timelines is available at www.nfacc.ca.

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