Government invests in industry-led animal welfare activities

GUELPH, ON, Feb. 19, 2019 /CNW/ - The livestock industry strives to continuously improve its capacity to respond to increasing demands by consumers and markets to demonstrate the highest quality of animal care.

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay today announced an investment of up to $4.56 million to the Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC), on behalf of the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), to help update and develop Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farmed animals. The investment was made through the AgriAssurance program of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The investment will be divided between four activities including:

• Updating the transportation Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals during transport;
• Updating the dairy Code of Practice that will address new scientific findings, changes in industry practices and address changes in market and consumer demands;
• Updating the goat Code of Practice that will respond to growing buyer and consumer expectations for on-farm animal welfare; and
• Developing a new Code of Practice for farmed finfish. Fish welfare is a new and emerging animal welfare concern for which the industry needs to be able to demonstrate its commitment and alignment with public values and consumer expectations.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to support the livestock and aquaculture sectors in their efforts to raise healthy, productive and well-cared animals. This investment will ensure Canadian standards are in place and up-to-date to meet new and emerging consumer and market demands, while building consumer confidence about how farmed animals are raised and transported."
- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Livestock and poultry welfare is important to everyone, from the animals themselves to producers and consumers. We are pleased the Government of Canada has chosen to invest in this project to help improve farm animal well-being and address expectations of consumers and the marketplace."
- Ryder Lee, Chair of the National Farm Animal Care Council

Quick Facts

• Canada is world-renowned for our high-quality livestock and aquaculture sectors. These two sectors drive Canada's economy, generating over $25 billion in farmgate receipts.

• This investment is being made through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriAssurance Program, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

• The CAHC is a non-profit organization serving Canada's farmed animal industry. The organization is a partnership of cross-sectorial organizations, all recognizing a shared responsibility for an effective animal health system.

• The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) is a collaborative partnership of diverse stakeholders created to share information and work together on farm animal care and welfare. It is the national lead for farm animal care in Canada.

Associated Links

• Canadian Agricultural Partnership
• AgriAssurance Program
• Canadian Animal Health Coalition
• National Farm Animal Care Council

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

For further information: Katie Hawkins, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [e-mail]

Related Links

www.agr.gc.ca