Draft Sheep Code of Practice released for Public Comment

(Ottawa) 09 July 2013 - The Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) and the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) are pleased to announce the launch of the public comment period on the draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Sheep.

The draft Code can be viewed and submissions made at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/sheep until September 6, 2013. The public comment period allows stakeholders - sheep producers, consumers and others with an interest in the welfare of sheep - to view the draft Code and provide input to the final Code. All submissions must be made through the online system and follow the instructions provided.

A Scientific Committee report summarizing research on priority welfare topics for sheep can be found online alongside the draft Code. This peer-reviewed report aided the discussions of the Code Development Committee as they prepared the draft Code of Practice. The committee includes researchers with expertise in sheep behaviour, health and welfare.

“The Code Development Committee has worked hard for the past two years developing the draft Code,” says John Hemsted, sheep producer from Ontario and Chair of the Code Development Committee. “This public comment period will allow us to ensure we are on the right track in providing sheep owners with the information they need to meet the needs of their animals. All feedback received through the public comment period will be considered by the committee as they finalize the new Code.”

“It’s been a pleasure to work with this diverse group of people to develop a draft Code that greatly advances the welfare of sheep,” says Dr. Carol Morgan, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies representative on the Code Development Committee. "We hope to receive broad input from the general public and from those involved in the sheep industry to ensure this Code reflects the values of Canadians and ensures good care of sheep.”

The sheep Code revision is led by a 17-person Code Development Committee. Members include sheep producers, animal welfare and enforcement representatives, researchers, veterinarians and government representatives. The final sheep Code of Practice will be released by the end of this year. More information on the Code development process is available at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice.

The sheep Code is one of eight 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 Codes be scientifically informed, practical and reflect societal expectations for responsible farm animal care. The Codes cover housing, feed and water, handling, euthanasia, transport and other important management practices.

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 Canadian Sheep Federation

CSF is a national non-profit organization that represents all Canadian sheep producers. Established in 1990, the primary responsibility of the organization is to set national policy for the sheep industry. The mission of the CSF is to represent all producers in providing leadership aimed at cooperative work among all levels of government and industry-related organizations, both domestic and foreign, to further the viability, growth and prosperity of the Canadian sheep, wool and dairy industry.

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