Review of Canada’s Code of Practice for Veal Calves has begun
(Ottawa) 23 February 2015 – The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) is pleased to announce the review and update of the Code of Practice for Veal Calves. The review, initiated by the Canadian Veal Association (CVA), will be guided by NFACC’s Code development process.
“The Canadian Veal Association is looking forward to partnering with NFACC on the veal Code of Practice review process” stated André Roy, CVA President and Code Committee Chair. “The review and update of the 1998 veal Code will involve stakeholders from a wide cross section of the industry and will be focused on ensuring up-to-date and practical approaches to the care and welfare of calves raised for the veal market,” added Roy.
The Codes of Practice promote sound management and welfare practices through recommendations and requirements for housing, care, transportation and other animal husbandry practices. They serve as our national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices. Currently there are Codes for 14 different farm animal species in Canada. The veal Code will be the tenth Code revised through the NFACC process. Visit www.nfacc.ca for details and a timeline outlining the steps and progress made on the various Codes.
Stakeholder commitment is key to ensuring quality animal care standards are established and implemented. Stakeholders involved in the revision of the Code include farmers/producers, veterinarians, researchers and representatives from animal welfare and enforcement agencies, the retail and food service sector and government.
“Understanding all sides of the issue is very important. Canada’s Code development process enables all parties to be at table, making credible decisions to improve animal welfare,” stated Jeff Rushen PhD who represents the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) on the committee. The CFHS serves as the lead animal welfare organization on NFACC’s Code Development Committees.
The revised veal Code is scheduled for completion in 2017. 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 Veal Association
The Canadian Veal Association (CVA) is a not‐for‐profit national organization dedicated to working on issues impacting the Canadian milk-fed and grain-fed veal industries through collaboration, innovation and strategic alliances.
- 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
Jennifer Haley
Secretary-Manager
Canadian Veal Association
Phone: (519) 824-2942
jhaley@livestockalliance.ca
