A survey designed to identify the priorities of pork sector stakeholders in updating Canada's Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs is now complete. A top-of-mind survey, launched in mid-May by the National Farm Animal Care Council to gather stakeholder thoughts about pig welfare concluded last week.
The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs, which provides guidelines for animal care workers, was last updated in 2014 and reviewed in 2019.Jackie Wepruk, the division director for NFACC, says responses are being compiled now for presentation this fall to the stakeholder committee responsible for reaching a consensus that meets the needs of farmers, animal welfare interests, industry groups and others.
Quote-Jackie Wepruk-National Farm Animal Care Council:
The Pig Code, like all codes of practice developed through the National Farm Animal Care Council include some common content chapters on housing and handling facilities, feed and water, health management, husbandry and stockmanship, emergency management and preparedness, pre transport considerations and euthanasia.
So there's a full lifecycle covered within all codes of practice and the codes apply to those who are responsible for the care and handling of farm animals so, for the Pig Code, that would mean hog producers and anyone involved in the care of pigs.The first step of initiating a code update is the responsibility of the national industry lead, so it's the industry itself that really needs to see and understand the value of updating its code.It really speaks to the level of commitment from the sector when they step forward and submit themselves to this code process.
It's not an easy or quick process.Codes can take upwards of two and a half to three years to complete, depending on their complexity and the effort is challenging because we're trying to balance a host of interests and realities around farm animal welfare so it's a really important and critical first step when the industry initiates a code update.
Wepruk says, once a draft code has been created, possibly in a year and a half, it be released for a 60 day public review and comment period.
For more visit Farmscape.Ca.
Source : Farmscape.ca