Canada invests in updating poultry codes of practice

An investment of over $2 million to the Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC) has been announced to develop and update poultry codes and further advance best practices for the care and handling of other farm animals.

The announcement by Canadian Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, took place at the Poultry Industry Council’s head office. In 2012, Canada produced poultry products worth $3.8 billion.

Building on previous work done with the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), the CAHC, which is a not-for-profit organisation serving Canada’s farmed animal industry, will update existing animal care codes for the poultry sector and develop three new codes of practice for additional sectors. Guidance materials will be developed to ensure that farmers have access to the latest, most up-to-date codes and assessment programs, assuring customers that the product they choose has been raised to the strictest standards of animal welfare.

“Our government is proud to support the poultry industry in achieving the highest possible standards for animal health. Consumers have increasingly high expectations for animal welfare and this investment will help the industry enhance its competitiveness both at home and abroad through promotion of assurance systems that will benefit the entire value chain,” said Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux.