NFACC outlines focus areas guiding the next update of Canada’s Pig Code of Practice
Committees tasked with updating Canada’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs have identified five priority welfare issues that will shape the scientific review and future revisions to the code.
According to a December update from the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), members of both the Pig Code Committee and the Scientific Committee met in person over two days in Ottawa in late October, marking the first in-person session of the current code revision process.
All 14 committee members attended the meeting, which focused on reviewing the code update process, aligning on industry context, and establishing the welfare topics that will receive detailed scientific evaluation.
Defining “Priority Welfare Issues”
Jackie Wepruk, Division Director with NFACC, said one of the key outcomes of the meeting was agreement on what the committees define as priority welfare issues.
These issues typically represent four to six welfare-related topics that both the Code Committee and Scientific Committee agree are critical to pig welfare and would benefit from a peer-reviewed scientific literature review.
The goal, Wepruk explained, is to ensure the Code Committee has the most current and robust science available as it deliberates on which requirements and recommended practices may need updating.
The Five Priority Welfare Areas
The committees identified the following five priority welfare issues, which are now posted on NFACC’s website:
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Enrichment strategies, with an emphasis on practical, on-farm application
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Housing and functional space, considering both quantity and quality of space
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Pain control, including a detailed review of specific procedures and mitigation approaches
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Lameness, focusing on prevention, identification, and management
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Euthanasia methods, including a review of current practices and emerging science
Each topic will undergo a comprehensive scientific review to inform future code decisions.
What Comes Next
Moving forward, the committees will work through the scientific findings to:
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Identify areas where improvements may be warranted
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Evaluate current requirements and recommended practices
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Work toward consensus-based updates to the code
Once consensus is achieved, NFACC plans to release a draft of the updated Pig Code for public comment, with a target release date of March 2028.
Why This Matters to Producers
Canada’s Codes of Practice play a central role in shaping on-farm welfare standards, influencing:
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Industry assurance programs
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Customer and retailer expectations
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Regulatory and audit frameworks
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Public trust in pork production
The early identification of priority welfare issues gives producers, veterinarians, and allied industry a clear signal of where future discussions and potential changes may occur.
Swine Web will continue to follow the Pig Code revision process and provide updates as scientific reviews are completed and draft recommendations are released.
