Beef Code of Practice

◦ The Beef Code of Practice sets the national on-farm standard of care for beef cattle in Canada and has been around since 1981.

◦ It covers topics such as housing, feed and water, handling, euthanasia, transport, and other important management practices. The Code outlines both requirements and recommended practices.

◦ The Beef Code focuses on outcomes. It provides flexibility in how good cattle care is achieved, recognizing the diversity of Canadian beef operations while still creating a clear and credible industry standard.

◦ The Codes of Practice are used for extension tools, reference materials for regulations, and the foundation for on-farm quality assurance programs.

◦ The Code is an important resource for producers, policymakers, the public, the value chain and animal welfare and enforcement agencies looking to gauge what the industry standard is for beef cattle production in Canada.

◦ The Code provides a clear, nationally recognized baseline for acceptable cattle care — giving producers a reference point when questions arise.

◦ Maintaining an up-to-date Code informs potential policy conversations with industry expertise backed by science and prevents rules written by people far from primary production.
 
◦ The Code acts as a form of industry protection, helping ensure the actions of a few don’t undermine the credibility of the entire sector.
 
◦ Buyers, retailers, and international customers increasingly expect alignment with recognized animal care standards. A current Code protects Canada’s international reputation and reduces the likelihood of externally imposed standards.
 
◦ Industry leadership through the NFACC Code development process strengthens the credibility of on‑farm standards through a collaborative, multi‑stakeholder approach while ensuring producers have a clear and ongoing seat at the table.

◦ The Code undergoes regular reviews to ensure it reflects the latest science and research, practical on‑farm realities and the evolving expectations from society and the marketplace.

◦ Maintaining an up-to-date Code helps demonstrate the Canadian beef sector’s proactive, ongoing commitment to responsible animal care and continuous improvement.

◦ The Code is developed through the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) — an independent, Canadian organization that brings together producers, veterinarians, researchers, processors, retailers, animal welfare groups, enforcement agencies, and provincial and federal governments.

◦ There are 14 Codes of Practice covering virtually every type of major farmed animal.

◦ Updates follow a structured, consensus‑based process supported by a scientific review and producer input.
 
◦ CCA is a long-standing member of the National Farm Animal Care Council and serves as the national commodity organization responsible for initiating the Code review process for the beef sector, in alignment with NFACC’s established review timelines.
 
◦ CCA appoints five beef producer representatives through this process to contribute practical, on‑farm perspectives from the feeding and cow-calf sector across Canada.

◦ The public comment period (April 13 – June 12, 2026) is open to all Canadians. This is a is a critical step for producer engagement and an opportunity to provide feedback on what works and what may not work for your operation.  Providing real life examples and suggestions is helpful and impactful for the code committee.

◦ While this is a busy time of year, we appreciate producers taking the time. This work is critical as the Beef Code will be the industry’s guide to cattle welfare for the next decade.

◦ After the comment period closes, the feedback will be compiled and reviewed by the Code Committee. A report summarizing the feedback and outlining how it was considered in the final consensus-based decision making by the Code Committee will also be shared.
 
◦ The finalized Code is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2027.

Both documents are available on the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) website. The current 2013 Beef Code of Practice is available here. The draft Code open for public comment can be accessed by clicking the red Public Comment Period icon on the NFACC website here. Once you enter the survey, scroll down to find the link that says “full draft version” to download, view online, or print the draft Code content. 

◦ It isn’t government. The National Farm Animal Care Council is a unique independent, Canadian organization of diverse partners that serves as the national lead for farm animal care and welfare. The codes are industry-led. Provincial and Federal governments participate as part of the multi-stakeholder code development process. Industry initiates and is actively involved in the review and development process where producers are at the table. See a full list of Code Committee here.

◦ The Codes are not government regulation. Animal welfare regulation is a provincial responsibility. Most provinces incorporate the Codes by reference within their animal protection regulations.

◦ In all provinces, animals are protected by law from abuse and undue suffering. Regardless of how Codes show up or not in provincial regulations, they are considered baseline standards of care for cattle in Canada. The Code is what enforcement officers and courts look at when deciding whether cattle are being cared for properly.

◦ That doesn’t mean officers are coming around to inspect every farm. But if there’s a complaint, an investigation, or a serious welfare issue, the Code is what your practices are measured against, meaning it’s not to be looked at as a voluntary document.

◦ Strong, credible, industry-led standards reduce the likelihood of increased regulation.  A current Beef Code sets a standard for responsible care.

◦ Engaging through this formalized process ensures producers continue to have a seat at the table for these important conversations.

◦ CCA’s role is to represent beef producers across Canada at the table. Animal welfare is an important topic to many different parties– meaning – if CCA were not involved, these conversations would still happen. Walking away from this process would not stop the conversation – it would remove producer voices.

◦ Working through National Farm Animal Care Council’s nationally recognized process for code development ensures that producers have representation, decisions are science informed while considering the practicality on-farm, and that the code has credibility with regulators, processors, retailers and the public.