Canada’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines to be updated
Canada’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines to be updated
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release:
(Ottawa) April 26 2024 – The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) is pleased to announce the update to the 2013 Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines. The update, initiated by Equestrian Canada, will be guided by NFACC’s Code development process.
The Code development process includes a survey, launched at the outset of each Code, to capture top-of-mind welfare concerns from any and all stakeholders. The input received will help the Code Committee understand the kinds of issues people wish to see considered in the update. Everyone is invited to participate; the survey for this Code will be open until May 16, 2024 and is available at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/equine.
“The health and welfare of equines in Canada is an important priority for EC and the Canadian equestrian industry and community we serve,” said Meg Krueger, CEO of Equestrian Canada. “With the most significant influence on welfare resting with those responsible for their daily care, the Equine Code provides a great tool for both professionals and individual owners. The updates to the Code will continue to ensure it is evidence based and being informed by current researched best practices.”
Canada’s Codes of Practice provide critical guidance for the care and handling of farm animals. They reflect our national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices and serve as educational tools, reference materials for regulations, and the foundation for farm animal care assessment programs.
“The NFACC Code development process is based on stakeholder commitment to ensure quality animal care standards are established,” said Hans Kristensen, Chair of NFACC. “It’s about each of us taking responsibility – farmers, processors, food companies, consumers, and allied groups – moving beyond the hype and rhetoric and doing real things to support farm animal welfare.”
Five Codes – beef cattle, equines, pigs, sheep, and poultry – are being updated. The pullets and laying hens Code is being amended. Visit www.nfacc.ca for more details and a timeline outlining the steps and progress made on the respective Codes.
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 issues in Canada and operates as a division of Animal Health Canada. For more information on NFACC, visit www.nfacc.ca.
About EC
Equestrian Canada (EC) is the national governing body for equestrian sport and industry in Canada, with a mandate to represent, promote and advance all equine and equestrian interests. With over 15,000 sport licence holders, 11 provincial/territorial sport organization partners and 10+ national equine affiliate organizations, EC is a significant contributor to the social, physical, emotional, and economic wellbeing of the equestrian industry. For more information visit www.equestrian.ca.
- 30 -
For more information contact:
Jackie Wepruk, Division Director, National Farm Animal Care Council
Phone: 403-783-4066, nfacc@xplornet.com, www.nfacc.ca
Melanie McLearon, Director, Marketing & Communications, Equestrian Canada
Phone: 343-308-4390, mmclearon@equestrian.ca, www.equestrian.ca
