Draft Farmed Fox Code of Practice released for Public Comment

(Ottawa) 10 September 2012 – The draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Fox is now available for public comment. The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and the Canada Fox Breeders’ Association are pleased to announce the launch of the 60-day public comment period, which will conclude November 8, 2012.

The draft Code can be viewed and submissions made through NFACC’s web site at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/ranched-fox. Anyone can provide comments and suggestions on the Code, but all submissions must be made through the online system and follow the instructions provided.

A Scientists’ Committee report on research related to priority fox welfare issues is also publicly available from www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/ranched-fox. This peer-reviewed report aided the discussions of the Code Development Committee as they developed the Code of Practice.

“We have been working hard since 2010 to develop the draft of the farmed fox Code,” says Mike Bollert, fox farmer and Chair of the Code Development Committee. “The public comment period allows other stakeholders the opportunity to review and provide input to the Code. Working together, we can develop a Code that is good for farmers and the animals in their care.”

Dr. Gord Finley, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association representative on the Code Committee and Chair of the Scientists’ Committee states “I am pleased to be able to play a role in advocating for the highest possible standards from a veterinary perspective, and believe that this Code represents a major step forward in meeting our expectations for the care of farmed fox”.

The fox Code is one of eight farm animal Codes of Practice currently under revision as part of a multi-year NFACC project. Codes of Practice serve as our national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices. It is important that they be scientifically informed, practical and reflect societal expectations for responsible farm animal care. The Code covers housing, food and water, care and supervision, hygiene and sanitation, euthanasia, transport and other management practices for farmed fox in Canada.

The Code Development and Scientists’ Committees work together to develop a science and consensus-based Code. The fox Code Development Committee is comprised of producers, animal welfare and enforcement representatives, researchers, veterinarians and government representatives. The Scientists’ Committee includes world-renowned researchers, veterinarians and experts in the welfare of farmed fur-bearing animals. The final farmed fox Code of Practice will be released March 2013. More information on the Code development process is available at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice.

Funding for the Codes of Practice is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Flexibility Fund, under the Addressing Domestic and International Market Expectations Relative to Farm Animal Welfare initiative, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

About the National Farm Animal Care Council

NFACC is a collaborative partnership of diverse stakeholders created in 2005 to share information and work together on farm animal care and welfare. It is the national lead for farm animal care issues in Canada. NFACC would like to acknowledge the Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC) for their role in securing funding for this project. For more information on NFACC visit www.nfacc.ca.

About the Canada Fox Breeders’ Association (CFBA)

The objectives of the CFBA are to improve, promote and protect the ranched fox industry in Canada and to improve the economic viability of the ranched fox industry in Canada.

- 30 -

For more information contact:

« Back to listing