Public Comment Period for Farmed Fox Code of Practice closes November 8
REMINDER NOTICE: The draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Fox is available for public comment until November 8, 2012. The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and the Canada Fox Breeders’ Association announced the launch of the 60-day public comment period on September 10.
The draft Code can be viewed and submissions made through NFACC’s web site at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/ranched-fox. Anyone can provide comments and suggestions on the Code, but all submissions must be made through the online system and follow the instructions provided.
A Scientists’ Committee report on research related to priority fox welfare issues is also publicly available from www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/ranched-fox. This peer-reviewed report aided the discussions of the Code Development Committee as they developed the Code of Practice.
The fox Code is one of eight farm animal Codes of Practice currently under revision as part of a multi-year NFACC project. Codes of Practice serve as our national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices. It is important that they be scientifically informed, practical and reflect societal expectations for responsible farm animal care. The Code covers housing, food and water, care and supervision, hygiene and sanitation, euthanasia, transport and other management practices for farmed fox in Canada.
The Code Development and Scientists’ Committees work together to develop a science and consensus-based Code. The fox Code Development Committee is comprised of producers, animal welfare and enforcement representatives, researchers, veterinarians and government representatives. The Scientists’ Committee includes world-renowned researchers, veterinarians and experts in the welfare of farmed fur-bearing animals. The final farmed fox Code of Practice will be released March 2013. More information on the Code development process is available at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice.
Funding for the Codes of Practice is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Flexibility Fund, under the Addressing Domestic and International Market Expectations Relative to Farm Animal Welfare initiative, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
