Review of Canada’s Bison Code of Practice has begun
(Ottawa) 11 February 2015 - The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) is pleased to announce the review and update of the Code of Practice of bison. The review, initiated by the Canadian Bison Association, will be guided by NFACC’s Code development process.
“Since the last Code was published in 2001, the benefits of science and another 14 years of experience with these majestic animals will allow us to update the present Code to provide producers and other stakeholders with clear and transparent practices on accepted bison care and handling practices" stated Mark Silzer, President of the Canadian Bison Association.
Canada’s Codes of Practice are guidelines for the care and handling of farm animals. They serve as our national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended best practices. They are educational tools, reference materials for regulations and the foundation for farm animal care assessment programs.
Since 2009 seven Codes have been updated following NFACC’s Code development process. Five additional Codes, including bison, are now being updated. “The NFACC Code development process is based on stakeholder commitment to ensure quality animal care standards are established and implemented,” says Ryder Lee, Chair of NFACC.
“The CVMA is pleased to continue to provide a veterinary perspective on the development of the Codes of Practice. We believe that the revisions to the bison Code will deliver a practical and scientifically valid approach to meeting bison health and welfare needs that reflect current management practices,” says Dr. Warren Skippon of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Visit www.nfacc.ca for details and a timeline outlining the steps and progress made on the various Codes. Revisions to the Codes of Practice have been made possible by funding received from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada under Growing Forward 2, a federal –provincial –territorial initiative.
About NFACC
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 in Canada. For more information visit www.nfacc.ca.
About the Canadian Bison Association
The Canadian Bison Association (CBA) is a non-profit organization that was established to represent the interests of the bison industry in Canada. CBA is responsible for providing guidance on a number of issues including: on-farm food safety, marketing, animal health, research, animal identification, government liaison, trade issues, bison traceability, the bison registry and other developmental initiatives.
- 30 -
For more information contact:
Jackie Wepruk, General Manager & Project Coordinator, National Farm Animal Care Council
Phone: 403-783-4066, nfacc@xplornet.com, www.nfacc.ca
Terry Kremeniuk, Executive Director, Canadian Bison Association
Phone: 306-522-4762, cba2@sasktel.net, www.canadianbison.ca
