Comments Sought on Canadian Poultry Handling Code

CANADA - A new Code of Practice has been launched by Canadian poultry organisations, and the draft document is now available for public comment.
calendar icon 13 October 2015
clock icon 3 minute read

The "Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens and Turkeys" has been devised by Chicken Farmers of Canada, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council, Turkey Farmers of Canada, Canadian Hatching Egg Producers and the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC).

The public comment period allows stakeholders - poultry producers, consumers and others with an interest in the welfare of poultry - to view the draft Code and provide input to the final Code.

A peer-reviewed Scientific Committee report summarising research conclusions on priority welfare topics for poultry helped the organisations to devise the new Code, and can be found online alongside the draft Code. The report, developed by world-renowned animal welfare scientists, should be reviewed prior to making comments.

“The Code Development Committee has worked hard since 2011 developing the draft Code. The public comment period will allow us to check our work with a broader representative group,” said Vernon Froese, poultry producer and Chair of the Code Development Committee.

“Since it will fall primarily to producers to implement the Code, it is important for producers to review the draft Code and to respond with informed, rational, and constructive input.”

“The Code process provides an important opportunity for advancing farm animal welfare policy in Canada,” said poultry welfare expert Dr Ian Duncan, representing the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies on the Code Committee.

“We hope to receive broad input from the general public, industry and other stakeholders to ensure this Code improves animal welfare and reflects the values of Canadians.”

The poultry Code is one of five Codes of Practice currently under revision as part of a multi-year NFACC project. Codes of Practice serve as the national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices. The Codes cover housing, feed and water, handling, euthanasia, transport and other important management practices.

The draft Code and the public comment system are available here. The public comment period closes on December 4, 2015.

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