Beef stakeholders invited to weigh in on code of practice

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The Canadian Cattle Association has initiated an update to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle.

The National Farm Animal Care Council is involved, and the update will be in line with the National Farm Animal Care Council’s Code Development practice.

The Code Development process will begin with a survey to capture welfare concerns from all stakeholders. Results from the surveys will help the Code Committee understand the issues stakeholders want to see in the update. Everyone can participate in the survey.

The Code update will bring the industry into alignment with responsible practices, many of which have already been implemented by producers, said Nathan Phinney, President of the Canadian Cattle Association.

Canada’s Codes of Practice provide guidance for the care and handling of farm animals. They serve as educational tools, reference materials for regulations, and the foundation for farm animal care assessment programs. Five Codes of Practice are being updated. They include beef cattle, equine, pig, sheep, and poultry. The Code for pullet and layer Codes are also being amended.

About the author

Alexis Kienlen is a reporter with Glacier Farm Media. She grew up in Saskatoon but now lives in Edmonton. She holds an Honours degree in International Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, a Graduate Diploma in Journalism from Concordia University, and a Food Security certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University. In addition to being a journalist, Alexis is also a poet, essayist and fiction writer. She is the author of four books- the most recent being a novel about the BSE crisis called “Mad Cow.”