Canadians are invited to give their opinion on proposed changes to rules around the care of horses and donkeys.
Public consultations on a draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines opened on Jan. 12.
The National Farm Animal Care Council launched an update to the equine code in 2023. The revision involves consultaton with veterinary and scientific experts, producer and animal welfare representatives, and provincial and federal officials.
Read Also
Klassen: Western Canadian feeder market incorporates risk discount
For the week ending March 7, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5-$10/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. The…
Changes in the draft code include:
- New rules around housing, such as a requirement for a mud management plan during wet periods and mandatory bedding depth.
- An amendment to air quality requirements by reducing the acceptable concentration of ammonia to 15 parts per million (ppm) from 25 ppm.
- Elevating the need for a working relationship with a veterinarian to requirement from a recommendation — an exception is made for areas where vets are not available, in which case a health care plan is acceptable.
- Added rules that say punishment is not acceptable in handling of horses and prohibits the use of pain and fear as training methods.
- A prohibition on selling horses for slaughter, if unfit for transportation, as an alternative to euthanasia.
The public comment period ends on March 12. The revised code is projected to be released in 2027.
