Equine owners and others with an interest in equine welfare have an opportunity to provide input into the revision to Canada’s Equine Code of Practice through online surveys.
The National Farm Animal Care Council of Canada (NFACC) is conducting a third stakeholder survey to gain further input as the Equine Code of Practice is revised. The Code will serve as our national understanding of equine care requirements and recommended best practices.
Equine care requirements
The Equine Code of Practice will be scientifically informed, practical, and reflect societal expectations for farm horse care.
NFACC is overseeing a multi-year project to renew the Codes of Practice for several farm animal species, including equine. Each species has a lead organization responsible for facilitating their individual Code’s development. For equine, it’s Equine Canada.
The Equine Code of Practice will be scientifically informed, practical, and reflect societal expectations for farm animal care thanks to a Code Development Committee which brings together a broad range of expertise and industry knowledge.
The Committee is also seeking stakeholder input through national surveys. This survey is the third to be conducted for equine and is focused on two topics that are to be addressed in the Code: health management and tail alterations.
“The surveys are an excellent tool for us to gain insights from a broad group of stakeholders as we renew our national Code,” explains Jack de Wit, Chair of the Equine Code of Practice Committee and member of Equine Canada’s Board of Directors. “We strongly encourage all those involved in our sport and industry to provide their views through this survey.”
To complete this survey, go to Equine Codes of Practice and click on survey three. The survey takes between 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
Funding for the Codes of Practice is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Flexibility Fund (Addressing Domestic and International Market Expectations Relative to Farm Animal Welfare).