Canada's Code of Practice for Horses Is being updated. This code, responsible for the care, handling, management, and welfare for horses and related equus species, is undergoing updating for the first time since the year 1998. It is expected the updated Code will be released in 2013.
Updated Canadian Code of Practice for horse welfare
Equine Canada advocates the humane treatment of all horses, donkeys and mules, and believes that the equine industry and owners have a responsibility to provide humane care.
“The Code of Practice for Horses was last updated in 1998 and given the dramatic increase in the number of horses in Canada at the recreational, sport and agricultural levels, as well as the technical and health advances since then, the Industry Division of Equine Canada deemed the revision of the Code to be a high priority,” stated Dean Leifso, Chair, Equine Canada Industry Division Council.
“It is gratifying that the Government of Canada and the National Farm Animal Care Council recognized the need for a revised equine Code of Practice and have provided support to develop and distribute the new Code to Canada’s equine community.”
Codes of Practice serve multiple purposes including:
- Providing information and education.
- Serving as the foundation for animal care assessment programs.
- Providing reference materials for regulations.
The NFACC Code of Practice Development Process aims to:
- Link Code recommendations with science,
- Ensure transparency in the process,
- Include broad representation from stakeholders,
- Contribute to improvements in farm animal care,
- Identify topics for research and encourage projects,
- Write clearly to ensure ease of reading, understanding and implementation,
- Provide a document that is useful for all stakeholders.
“Equine Canada advocates the humane treatment of all horses, donkeys and mules, and believes that the equine industry and owners have a responsibility to provide humane care,” stated Dr. Mary Bell, Co-Chair, Equine Canada Health and Welfare Committee. “The updated Code of Practice for Horses will provide guidelines to assist in improving an animal’s quality of life from birth through death.”
Caroline Ramsay has been contracted by NFACC as the Equine Code Development Secretary and will facilitate the work of the Equine Code Development Committee.Caroline has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia. She is an articling agrologist and her work experience includes drafting standards and serving as a liaison for a farm animal welfare certification program.