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2.Introduction

BACKGROUND

Thank you for your interest in the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle Public Comment Period. The draft Code will be available for review and comment according to the following schedule:

Public comment period launch date: 13 April 2026

Closing date for comments: 12 June 2026

Status: Open for review and consultation

The draft Code was developed by a multi-stakeholder committee following the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) Code development process. This is your chance to let us know what you like about the draft Code, what you think can be improved, and if there's anything that's missing.

The peer-reviewed Scientific Committee Report is also available. This report provides a review of research on priority welfare issues that were identified as part of this Code development process. The Code Committee uses the report to inform their discussions and decision-making.

More information on Codes and the development process is available at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice.

INSTRUCTIONS

After you read this short introduction, click “Next” to begin your review. Content from each section of the draft Code is provided and followed by a comment box. You can provide feedback on all sections or only sections of interest to you. After you have made your comments, you can choose to leave a general comment about the Code or choose to be taken to the last page so you can submit your input.

TIP: Use the "Prev" or "Next" buttons to navigate through the draft Code. Do not use the back button on your browser.

TIP: Ensure your feedback is specific, provides a rationale, and, whenever possible, includes alternative wording or suggestions for how to address your concern. Where possible, identify the text to which your comment pertains (e.g. for recommended practice A – suggestion to change….). You can also copy and paste the relevant Code content as part of your comment.

Please be polite. Submissions that include profanity or derogatory or threatening language will not be considered. NFACC may exclude submissions that are inconsistent with the spirit or intent of the Public Comment Period.

You may download or print the full draft version to review before providing feedback; however, feedback on the draft Code will only be accepted through this online system. The draft Code is approximately 70 pages.

If you do not have time to review the entire document at once, you can click “Exit” (top right hand corner of each page) and return at a later time through the web link or by bookmarking this page. Feedback can only be submitted once from any given computer (i.e., IP address).

Following the Public Comment Period, the Code Development Committee will consider all feedback, revise the draft as deemed necessary, and submit a final Code to NFACC. The revised beef cattle Code of Practice is slated to be released in 2027.

Thank you for providing input to Canada's beef cattle Code of Practice.
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TIPS FOR PROVIDING FEEDBACK

After several months of deliberations by the Code Committee, the public comment period provides an opportunity for the committee to check its work more broadly.
  • Be constructive. Criticism is welcome and valid. But it is more powerful when it comes with suggestions for improvement and, whenever possible, a rationale or alternate wording.
  • Tell your story. Committee members are interested in what the Code means to real people in the real world (your personal viewpoint on how the proposed changes will affect you, either positively or negatively).
  • Quality and quantity. Multiple submissions with the same copy and pasted comments can convey a particular stakeholder viewpoint and will be noted by the Code Committee. However, your own unique insights can be particularly helpful to the committee. Everyone involved in the Code process has the goal of continual improvement in farm animal welfare. What are your viewpoints that can support that goal?
  • Where possible, identify the text to which your comment pertains (e.g. for recommended practice A, suggestion to change….). You can also copy and paste the relevant Code content as part of your comment.
Everyone involved in the Code process has the goal of continual improvement in farm animal welfare. What are your viewpoints that can support that goal?

If you have questions about the Public Comment Period, please contact us at codes@nfacc.ca.

Financial support was provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the AgriAssurance Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

BEGIN PUBLIC CONSULT PROCESS

All personal identifying information is confidential, but we believe it is important for those making submissions to be willing to provide their name and basic contact information as part of their commitment to producing a quality Code of Practice. We will only use your personal information to contact you if there is a question about your submission.(Required.)
Your location:(Required.)
Is this a submission that represents the official position/policy of an organized group (e.g. association, council, board, or federation)?(Required.)
Which stakeholder category best describes you? (Required.)