Public invited to provide input to the draft Mink Code of Practice
(Ottawa) 09 October 2012 – The draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Mink is now available for public comment. The Canada Mink Breeders Association (CMBA) and the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) are pleased to announce the launch of the 60-day public comment period, which will conclude December 7, 2012.
The draft Code can be viewed and submissions made through NFACC’s web site at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/mink. 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 mink welfare issues is also available at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/mink. This peer-reviewed report aided the discussions of the Code Development Committee as they developed the Code of Practice.
“The development of the mink Code has been a collaborative approach to optimizing mink welfare,” says Gary Hazlewood, Executive Director of CMBA. “The public comment period is a logical step to ensure maximum input in this process. It allows other stakeholders the opportunity to review and provide input to the Code. The result will be a significantly improved humane care Code for mink.”
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 mink”.
The mink 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, biosecurity, euthanasia, transport and other management practices for mink in Canada.
The mink 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 mink Code of Practice will be released April 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 Mink Breeders Association (CMBA)
CMBA was constituted in 1952 as a non-profit organization with a mandate to assist, protect and advance the industry in Canada and to advance and promote the end product in both national and international fields.
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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
- Gary Hazlewood, Canada Mink Breeders Association, Phone: (416) 801-9400, cmba@ica.net
