Public comment period for the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens and Turkeys ends December 4, 2015

REMINDER NOTICE: The draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens and Turkeys is available for public comment until December 4^th. The Chicken Farmers of Canada, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council, Turkey Farmers of Canada, Canadian Hatching Egg Producers and the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) announced the launch of the public comment period on October 5^th.  

The draft Code can be viewed and submissions made through NFACC’s web site at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/chickens-turkeys-and-breeders. All comments must be submitted through the online system, for which easy to follow instructions are provided.

A Scientists’ Committee report summarizing research on priority welfare topics for hatching eggs, breeders, chickens and turkeys can be found alongside the draft Code online. This peer-reviewed report aided the discussions of the Code Development Committee as they prepared the draft Code of Practice.

This poultry Code is one of five 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. The Codes cover housing, feed and water, handling, euthanasia, transport and other important management practices.

Revisions to the poultry Code began in 2011. A 15-person Code Development Committee that includes participants from across Canada including producers, animal welfare and enforcement representatives, researchers, transporters, processors, veterinarians and government representatives led the Code revisions. The Scientists’ Committee includes researchers with expertise in poultry behaviour, health and welfare. The aim is to have the new poultry Code completed in 2016. More information on the Code development process is available at nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice.

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