Humane Treatment of Farmed Animals

Hi there,

We hope you are having a wonderful summer.  We are happy to share with you recent updates in Farmed Animal Welfare at Humane Canada.

Putting Farmed Animals on the new Federal Parliamentary Agenda 

Following the 2025 federal election and based on our long-standing advocacy for farmed animal welfare concerns, Humane Canada was invited to introductory meetings with government officials now working on these issues in the new Parliament. We highlighted animal welfare challenges and opportunities for the new Cabinet Ministers and Secretaries to be reflecting on, and we shared our priorities and recommendations, addressing issues of public accountability, regulatory improvements, and ethical practices.  

Measuring Progress Toward a Humane Canada 

Humane Canada released a new report under our project that measures indicators of a humane country. Among the topics examined in Transforming Our Behaviours to Transform Animal Lives are three that address farmed animals: 

• meaningful animal welfare labelling systems used in Canada 

• per capita meat consumption,and  

• Canadian corporations that reference animal welfare in their policies.  

The report highlights actions that all individuals can take to make a real difference for animals and planet, while improving their own well-being. It is available at the project webpage. 

Building Better Standards: Humane Canada’s Role in NFACC 

At Humane Canada, our work with the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) places the welfare of Canada’s 800 million farmed animals at the center of food system discussions. The Codes of Practice developed through NFACC set the baseline for how animals are cared for, and we are deeply committed to ensuring these Codes are informed by the latest science and reflect the values of Canadians. 

Our work in recent months has focused on several key areas: 

• Informing the Codes with Science: We diligently review key research and engage with national and international experts. This work forms the backbone of our efforts at the Code Committees, ensuring that the latest knowledge in animal behaviour, health, and welfare informs every proposal and contribution we make. 

• Building Consensus through Collaboration: We continuously work to bridge perspectives by collaborating with diverse stakeholders through individual meetings or at conferences.  

• Empowering Our Team: We provide ongoing support and training on negotiation tactics to foster collaboration and openness among our code experts. NFACC's process is built on consensus, and we want our team to have the skills to make a meaningful impact. 

• Preparing for Public Engagement: With the Equine Code nearing its public comment period, we are developing strategies and materials to ensure our supporters can learn about the key welfare issues and be ready to share their views. Public input is vital to shaping strong, progressive Codes that truly reflect the values of Canadians. 

• Focusing on the Future:We're continuing our work with the Poultry Code and preparing to initiate the Pig Code review. Each Code review is a critical opportunity to embed higher welfare expectations into Canadian farming practices, and we are dedicated to seizing every chance to advocate for meaningful improvements. 

With your support, Humane Canada will continue to bring animal welfare science, ethics, compassion, and accountability to the table, helping to shape standards that improve the daily lives of millions of farmed animals.  We are grateful for your ongoing support and we will continue to keep you updated on progress being made for farmed animals in our country.

Links:

• Humane Canada
• What Does A Humane Country Look Like