November 2, 2020

Ontario Pork response to Code Technical Panel’s (CTP) proposed amendments to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs

Ontario Pork provided its full support on the Code Technical Panel’s (CTP) proposed amendments to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs. The health of animals is a concern and priority for the Ontario swine sector, and prodcuers committed to internationally-recognized high standards of animal care and farm practices, based on science, education and animal husbandry best practices.

By recommending a deadline extension to convert existing sow barns to group housing to July 1, 2029, this will allow adequate time to ensure housing systems are developed that best suit the animals, as well as time for proper planning, including financial and structural, to ensure that optimal systems are used.  

Through experience and information sharing, our producers will continue to grow their knowledge and understanding of various group sow housing systems for effective Code implementation.

Herd Health & Pig Code

The health of animals is a concern and a priority for the Ontario swine sector. Animal health touches not only aspects of public health and food safety, but also the economic costs that animal disease outbreaks can trigger as well as animal welfare considerations including the implications of disease control. Animal health measures and systems of disease surveillance, diagnosis and control help to strengthen the industry and ensure the continued production of high-quality pork for consumers, retailers and trading partners.

Pig Code of Practice

The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs was released in 2014 by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC). The Codes of Practice are nationally developed guidelines for the care and handling of farm animals and promote sound management and welfare practices for housing, care, transportation and other animal husbandry practices.

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Last updated November 2, 2020