Codes Of Practice
Developed through NFACC
Under Revision
Archived Recommended Codes of Practice
Code Development Process
Sheep
CODE UNDER REVISION
The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Sheep was released in 2013. The sheep Code’s 5-year review was delayed but completed in 2020, and the outcome of that review can be found here. An update to the sheep Code was initiated in 2023.
Code update timeline:
- Start: April 2024
- Public comment period: March 2026 – April 2026
- Projected completion: March 2027
Timeline for all Codes of Practice being amended or updated.
Code update resources:
Committees
Code Committee members
The Code Committee is populated in accordance with Step 1 of NFACC’s Code development process.
| Role | Committee Member | Organization |
| Producer representative | Fred Baker (Chair) | Canadian Sheep Federation |
| Dr. Neil Versavel | All sectors | |
| Ruth Mathewson | Wool sector | |
| Karen Davis | Grazing sector (extensive mgmt) | |
| Peter Vanderveen | Dairy (incl confinement) | |
| Transporter | Simon Atkinson | Atkinson Livestock |
| Veterinarian | Lynn Tait | Canadian Veterinary Medical Association |
| National animal welfare advocacy association | Sadie Parr | World Animal Protection |
| Provincial animal protection enforcement authority | Karmel Smith | Provincial Animal Welfare Services |
Provincial government representative with responsibilities in animal welfare | Lori Vickers | BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food |
| Retail and food service organization | Requested but not filled | |
| Processor | Stéphane Beausoleil | Canadian Meat Council |
| Federal government | Marie-Odile Rozon | Canadian Food Inspection Agency |
| Angela Rouillard | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | |
| Researcher/academic | To be determined | Scientific Committee Chair |
Scientific Committee members
The Scientific Committee is populated in accordance with Step 2 of NFACC’s Code development process.
| Name | Named by |
| Gregory Penner, PhD | Canadian Society of Animal Science |
| Michael Cockram, B.Vet. Med, PhD | Canadian Veterinary Medical Association |
| Charlotte Winder, DVM DVSc | Canadian Veterinary Medical Association |
| Cathy Dwyer, PHD, FRSB | International Society for Applied Ethology |
There are various ways to view the Code:
- HTML version (or select from the Table of Contents below)
- PDF version (1.9 MB)
There are a limited number of hard copies of this Code. NFACC encourages use of the electronic version and does not store hard copies. If hard copies are required, please contact the Canadian Sheep Federation.
Please note that content in the transportation section of this Code, along with additional transportation-related content (e.g., glossary terms) that had referenced or reflected the outdated version of Part XII (Transport of Animals) in the Health of Animal Regulations (HAR), or the now archived Compromised Animals Policy, has been updated to align with the amended regulations, which took effect on February 20, 2020. Hard copies of the Codes that were printed prior to this alignment will not include these updates. For clarity, Codes that have been updated will include a statement on the front cover that reads “Alignment with Part XII (Transport of Animals) of the Health of Animals Regulations: 2021”.
This update process was strictly aimed at revising existing text that no longer aligned with the amended HAR. Every effort was made to respect the original priorities and decisions of the Code Development Committee (e.g., text from the HAR was not added if it was not covered in the original Code). In case of a discrepancy between the hard copy and online version of a Code, the online version shall take precedence.
Other resources:
- Sheep Central Alberta - Responsible Animal Care and the Code of Practice
- Scientific Committee report - Review of scientific research on priority issues - October 2012
- NFACC Code development process
- Animal Welfare Research Needs
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
- Tail Docking of Sheep - Position Statement
Table of Contents
| Appendices | ||
| Appendix A | - Livestock Safety Index Chart | |
| Appendix B | - Body Condition Scoring | |
| Appendix C | - Accessing Veterinary Services | |
| Appendix D | - Individual Examination and First Aid | |
| Appendix E | - Understanding Sheep Behaviour | |
| Appendix F | - Tail Docking | |
| Appendix G | - Lambing and Neonatal Care | |
| Appendix H | - Guidelines for Dealing with Compromised Sheep | |
| Appendix I | - Livestock Transport Consignment Form | |
| Appendix J | - Signs of Pain in Sheep | |
| Appendix K | - Example of Decision Tree for Euthanasia | |
| Appendix L | - Euthanasia | |
| Appendix M | - Participants | |
| Appendix N | - Summary of Code Requirements | |
