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Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC), along with Turkey Farmers of Canada, the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, and the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors, are set to begin updating the current Code of Practice for poultry. The current code was released in 2016 and is the basis for the requirements in the Raised by a Canadian Farmer Animal Care Program.
This update will be guided by NFACC’s Code development process, which starts with a scientific review of priority welfare areas to guide the Code Committee in setting requirements and recommendations. The Code Committee is comprised of diverse stakeholders, including farmers, scientists, veterinarians, processors, retail associations, restaurant associations, transporters, animal welfare associations, and provincial/federal governments. Working together, committee members identify evidence-based solutions that address farm animal care concerns, meet market needs, and are implementable by farmers.
CFC is represented on the Code Committee by Ray Nickel, CFC Director and farmer from BC, and Rick Kaptein, CFC Director and farmer from ON, supported by CFC staff.
Key topics that are expected to be reviewed for chickens include enrichments, stocking density, lighting, and air and litter quality. Enrichments were identified as a research gap in the scientific review from the last Code, and over 45 poultry-related research papers have been published on the topic since.
Code Committee reps and CFC staff will be working with the CFC Board of Directors and all provincial boards for input on the updates to the requirements and recommendations being considered.
The Code development process includes a survey, launched at the outset of each Code, to capture top-of-mind welfare concerns from any stakeholders. The input received will help the Code Committee understand the kinds of issues people wish to see considered in the Code’s update. Everyone is invited to participate; the survey for this Code will be open until November 8, 2024 and is available online.
The Code update is expected to be completed in 2027. The credibility of the Raised by a Canadian Farmer Animal Care Program comes in large part due to it being based on the Code, and CFC will be working in tandem with the Code development process to update the animal care program. Any changes to the animal care program will be reviewed with provincial boards and communicated to farmers well in advance of implementation.
With the Codes as the strong foundation for our program, CFC can work with retail and restaurant partners to promote the Raised by a Canadian Farmer brand, and the assurances of good on-farm standards that come with it. With more retail and restaurant companies supporting and promoting the brand in their stores and restaurants, the goal is to increase chicken consumption and continue growing our great sector!
