Humane Treatment of Farmed Animals

In February, 2020, the new federal regulations overseeing the transportation of animals came into effect, bringing with them a number of important improvements for the welfare of animals being moved across the country – at least on paper.

Humane Canada is concerned that actual changes on the road, and on farms, auctions and slaughter facilities may not improve to the extent that the regulations set out.

That is why we are also actively working on a large and lengthy project that is underway through the National Farm Animal Care Council to update the 2001 Code of Practice for the transportation of farmed animals.

The updated Code of Practice, which will apply to all the major farmed animal species in Canada, will set industry standards and has the potential to provide more clear guidance on individual species and groups of animals than the regulations. We want to do whatever we can to support strong application of animal welfare requirements and create tools to help the transport industry do their utmost to protect the animals they are transporting.

Transportation is likely the most stressful time in a farmed animal’s life. We need to do everything it takes to reduce the welfare impacts. We are also working more generally on a number of different fronts to improve the effectiveness of NFACC processes to advance the welfare of animals on farm.