What are the codes of practice?

The Codes of Practice are nationally developed guidelines for the care and handling of different types of farm animals. The Codes cover recommended housing and management practices for animals on farms as well as transportation and processing. They are intended to encourage livestock producers, stock-keepers, handlers, transporters, and processors to adopt high standards of animal husbandry and handling.
The Codes are voluntary and are "intended to be used...as an education tool in the promotion of sound husbandry and welfare practices." The Codes contain recommendations to help farmers and others in the agriculture and food sector compare and improve their own management practices.

Are there codes of practice for all farm animals?

Codes of Practice have been developed for:

• sheep
• goats
• poultry
• veal calves
• pigs
• cattle
• animals raised for their fur
• farmed deer and elk
• horses
• livestock transport
• bison

Why have codes of practice been developed?

The Codes of Practice were developed for a number of reasons:
First and foremost, they reflect our concern for the humane treatment and care of farm animals. As the Codes themselves state:
"There is an increasing awareness that currently accepted moral standards of our society call for the prevention of any avoidable suffering. Domestication and artificial selection have made farm animals dependent on humans. Consequently, according to the existing principles of ethics, humans must accept this dependence as a commitment for humane conduct toward domestic animals in all stages of their life." (Code of Practice for Poultry)

Second, the agriculture and food sector, government and humane societies recognize that even the best laws have their limitations. The Codes of Practice have been developed to augment, not replace, existing laws and regulations. Unlike laws, the Codes allow for greater flexibility and are easier to adapt to new scientific findings and discoveries, without requiring complex and lengthy legislative changes. The Codes were developed with the intent that they be reviewed every five years.

Who Develops the Codes of Practice?

In 1980 the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) began coordinating the process of approving draft Codes of Practice for all livestock species with a Code for chickens. The federal Minister of Agriculture agreed to provide financial support for the undertaking. This arrangement continues today.

Each Code is approved by a committee made up of representatives from farm groups, veterinarians, animal scientists, federal and provincial governments, related agricultural sectors, animal welfare groups and interested individuals. The recommendations contained in each Code reflect the consensus of the committee.

In addition to approving the original Codes of Practice the committees periodically review them to ensure they reflect changes in current production and management practices that come about due to changes in technology and new scientific understanding.

What is contained in the Codes?

The Codes provide recommendations for meeting the basic needs of farm animals. They outline acceptable standards for shelter and housing, feed and water, health care, breeding, animal identification, handling and supervision, transportation, sales yard and processing facilities, and emergency procedures.

Although these practical and comprehensive guides run to 40 pages or more, the Codes do not claim to cover all circumstances: since every farm is different and because of the wide range of production practices and management systems used in livestock production, the Codes have been designed instead to provide information on basic principles for raising and handling livestock.

These principles are:

• adequate air, water, and feed
• safe housing and sufficient space
• appropriate complexity of the environment
• regular supervision and effective health care
• sensible handling

The Codes are based on the soundest current practices. They identify where animal welfare could be at risk and what precautions can be taken to eliminate such risks.

The Codes not only outline acceptable systems and practices but also emphasize the importance of the "people factor" in safeguarding the welfare of livestock. No matter how acceptable a husbandry system may be in principle, without competent stock handling, the welfare of the animal cannot be adequately provided for.

Do the Codes Work?

According to Joy Ripley, Chairperson of the CFHS Farm Animal Welfare Committee: "The voluntary Codes of Practice have, indeed, had a positive effect on the care and handling of farm animals in Canada. The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies is proud of its role in development of the Codes".

The Codes are not considered complete or "perfect"; compromises were required of all who participated. According to Joy Ripley, the Codes "are the start of dialogues which will continue in the years ahead. In the light of new scientific discoveries and changing economic conditions, the Codes must be re-examined and up-dated as a matter of course, as we continue to seek achievable animal welfare objectives through cooperation and consultation.
The Codes are voluntary and have no regulatory power, but farmers have a strong incentive to follow them: well kept animals are healthier and healthier animals are more productive. In addition, most livestock farmers have chosen their work, they like working with animals, and have a genuine concern for their welfare. As such, farmers and others involved in livestock agriculture strive to achieve a balance between the best interests of the animal, the consuming public and their own individual situations. The Codes have been designed to assist.

How Do Those in Livestock Agriculture Learn About Them?

Agriculture and food production is a very dynamic sector. Farm and food organizations are just as varied as the members they represent. For these reasons, the approach to informing individuals in the agriculture and food community about the Codes must be varied as well.
Those involved in the development of a particular Code are also involved in informing their constituents. This includes distribution of the Codes as well as producing information videos and publications and sponsoring information and training sessions. Codes are publicized by farm associations and government through events such as workshops and farm conferences, through the farm media and newsletters, at fairs and other events where the farming community is likely to attend, by government and business extension workers (such as veterinarians, salesmen, etc.), at agricultural colleges and places of agricultural business. Informing an ever changing agriculture and food community is an on-going process.

Wouldn’t Laws be better than voluntary codes?

Recommended Codes are considered by many to be far superior to legislation in that they strive to promote the highest possible standards of animal husbandry and handling. Legislation on the other hand can only establish minimum standards and may become quickly outdated. Codes are more easily revised and updated to reflect advances in husbandry practices. As well, they are often more effective than legislation in meeting their objectives and at a much lower cost to tax payers.

Agriculture and food production is not exempt from laws dealing with the treatment of animals. Various federal and provincial laws and regulations are in place which deal both directly and indirectly with animal welfare. In addition, specific industry regulations, policies, and guidelines are in place to control the production, transportation, marketing and processing of livestock and poultry. While such controls are primarily concerned with assuring the safety and high quality of our food, they also take into consideration humane issues, and can penalize those found to be in violation.
Each segment of the agriculture and food sector also have in place various research, training or education programs to deal specifically with animal care and handling issues. These programs have proven to be an effective method of addressing problems and concerns and have aided in the overall improvement of standards and practices.

Since the Codes are developed and promoted by the agricultural community they are more readily understood, accepted, and applied than government imposed regulations might be. Given the wide diversity of farms and food producers, enforcing laws and regulations to govern every aspect of how animals are cared for and handled would be both difficult and costly. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that additional laws are necessary or warranted.

Canada’s Codes of Practice are internationally recognized as models of responsible farm animal care. Those involved in developing the Codes are committed to their success.

Where can I find out more?

Copies of the Codes can be obtained from:
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.
Communications Branch, Ottawa, K1A 0C7

If you would like more information about what Canadian farmers are doing to promote responsible agriculture and food security, please ask us.