Comment period open for national goat Code of Practice

Goat producers, or those involved in the goat industry, are invited to offer comments on the draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Goats, from now until February 22, 2021.

Compiled by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and the Canadian National Goat Federation (CNGF), the new codes for the care and handling of farm animals is the result of a unique consensus-based, multi-stakeholder approach that brings together all relevant stakeholders with an interest in animal care standards, according to a press release.

“I’m proud of the collaborative effort committee members have shown since we began our work in the spring of 2019,” says Peter Kerkvliet, chair of the goat Code Development Committee and dairy goat farmer from Ontario. “The public comment period will allow us to ensure we are on the right track in providing goat producers with the information they need to meet the needs of their animals.”

The Canadian Meat Goat Association (CMGA) is also a partner in the goat Code’s update. “The CMGA recognizes the importance for the goat industry to have a Code of Practice that is up to date in order to establish recognized rearing practices, promote animal welfare, and meet consumer demand,” says Catherine Michaud, CMGA general manager and representative on the goat Code Development Committee.

The public comment period allows producers, consumers, and others with an interest in the welfare of goats to view the draft code and provide input to inform the final code, expected to be released in late 2021.

Once finalized, the new code will promote sound management and welfare practices through recommendations and requirements for housing, feed and water, handling, euthanasia, on-farm slaughter, transport, and other important management practices, says NFACC.

Find the draft code and comment mechanism, here. All comments must be submitted through the online system.

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Categories: Animal Welfare / Goat / Livestock / News