Amendment initiated to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens
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Amendment initiated to the Code of Practice for the Care and
Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens
OTTAWA, April 24, 2024 – The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) is pleased to announce that Egg Farmers of Canada has initiated an amendment to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens. The amendment will be guided by NFACC’s robust Code development process. This approach allows for timely revisions to Codes of Practices, ensuring they remain current and relevant by drawing on the latest animal welfare science, societal expectations for responsible care, and production practices.
A review of the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens was completed in 2022. An expert panel—which included egg farmers and pullet growers along with a veterinarian, processor, researcher, and animal welfare advocacy representative—identified three areas that warranted further consideration. This outcome triggered the NFACC amendment process which will focus on evaluating round feeder space, space allowance for pullets in aviaries and the maximum number of tiers in housing systems.
“Canadian egg farmers are dedicated to the health and welfare of the hens under their care,” said Roger Pelissero, Chair of Egg Farmers of Canada. “The Code amendment process is a critical step forward in ensuring that our Code of Practice continues to be strengthened with the latest scientific evidence, as well as through dialogue and discussion with our value chain partners.”
Canada’s Codes of Practice provide critical guidance for the care and handling of farm animals. They reflect our national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices and serve as educational tools, reference materials for regulations, and the foundation for farm animal care assessment programs. NFACC’s consensus-based, multi-stakeholder approach ensures credibility and transparency through scientific rigour, collaboration, and consistency.
“I am pleased to see this Code work get underway,” said Dr. Bettina Bobsien veterinarian and Vice-Chair of NFACC. “Through NFACC’s process, we see not only the leadership of the producer associations that are stepping forward to initiate this important work but also strong engagement from all our stakeholders at NFACC, who continue to demonstrate a commitment to advancing animal welfare in light of new research.”
For additional information on the Code amendment process, click HERE. To learn more about NFACC and the steps, timelines, and progress made on the national Codes of Practices, click HERE.
About the National Farm Animal Care Council
NFACC is a collaborative partnership of diverse stakeholders created in 2005 to share information and work together on farm animal care and welfare. It is the national lead for farm animal care issues in Canada and operates as a division of Animal Health Canada. For more information on NFACC, visit www.nfacc.ca.
About Egg Farmers of Canada
Now in its sixth decade as one of Canada’s leading agriculture organizations, Egg Farmers of Canada manages the national egg supply and promotes egg consumption while representing the interests of over 1,200 regulated egg farmers and egg farm families from coast to coast. Visit www.eggfarmers.ca for more information.
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Media contacts:
Jackie Wepruk, Division Director, National Farm Animal Care Council
Phone: 403-783-4066, nfacc@xplornet.com
Elissa Zaks, Senior Public Relations Officer, Egg Farmers of Canada
Phone: 343-777-6433, ezaks@eggs.ca
