Animal Welfare Standards for the Dairy Industry: Background and Justification

摘要

The new Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle provides a mechanism for dairy producers to demonstrate their standards for good animal care. The Code is science-based and includes outcome-based animal welfare standards, such as realistic targets to reduce lameness. The Code of Practice includes 'requirements' that all Canadian producers are expected to follow, such as no tail docking and using pain control during dehorning. The Code also includes recommended best practices. Canada's dairy industry still requires a mechanism of demonstrating to consumers that the requirements and recommendations in the Code are being followed.