Equine Canada and the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) announce the launch of the public comment period on the draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines.
The draft code can be viewed and submissions made at nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/equine until Feb. 14, 2013. All stakeholders are encouraged to provide input to ensure this code reflects a common understanding of equine care expectations and recommended practices in Canada.
A Scientists’ Committee report summarizing research on priority welfare topics for equines can be found online alongside the draft code. This peer-reviewed report aided the discussions of the Code Development Committee as it prepared the draft Code of Practice.
Anyone can provide comments and suggestions on the code; all submissions must be made through the online system and follow the instructions provided at nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/equine.
The equine code revision is led by an 18-person Code Development Committee, which includes participants from across Canada representing the diversity of the industry. Members include horse owners, caregivers, animal welfare and enforcement representatives, researchers, veterinarians and government representatives. The Scientists’ Committee includes researchers with expertise in equine behaviour, health and welfare. The final equine Code of Practice will be released in June 2013. More information on the Code development process is available at nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice.
