What is the Beef Cattle Code of Practice

The cover of the current Beef Cattle Code of Practice

On Monday, April 13, 2026, the public comment period for the Beef Cattle Code of Practice (Beef Code or the Code) will open. The Beef Code outlines expected and recommended animal care practices for beef cattle. Every five years when the Code of Practice undergoes a regular review process, questions arise. In this document we share the history of the Code and why it is important for producers to participate in the public comment period. The specific content of the draft Code will be available on April 13 and will be shared separately. 

What is the Beef Cattle Code of Practice

The Beef Code sets the standard of care for beef cattle in Canada. It covers topics such as housing, feed and water, handling, euthanasia, transport, and other important management practices and sets a standard by which both good producers and offenders can be judged. The Beef Code focuses on achieving successful standards while allowing for flexibility in how outcomes are met rather than dictating all the processes or methods to be used. The Code recognizes that responsible care can be achieved through different approaches depending on context and operation type.

The first Code of Practice for beef cattle was published in 1981. The first version of the Code developed following the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) process was released in 2013. The Code is an important resource for producers, policymakers, the public, the value chain and animal welfare and enforcement agencies looking to gauge what is industry standard for beef cattle production in Canada. Canada’s reputation for stewardship of land and animals is renowned as continuous evolution of practices ensures our industry’s foundation of well cared for cattle continues.

The cover of the 1991 Beef Cattle Code of Practice

The current Beef Code, last updated in 2013 and reviewed with no changes in 2018, can be viewed at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/beef-cattle. The draft Code remains confidential until the public comment period Background information on the identified priority animal welfare topics that informed the scientific review can be viewed on the NFACC website (www.nfacc.ca/beef-cattle-priority-welfare-issues). The Scientific Committee report will also be released alongside the draft Code when the public comment period launches.

Why is This Review Happening Now?

The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) is the national lead for farm animal care and welfare in Canada and is the organization responsible for developing and maintaining codes of practice for farm animals. There are currently nine Codes of Practice in Canada that provide critical guidance for the care and handling of farm animals. NFACC is the only organization in the world that brings together animal welfare groups, enforcement, government and farmers under a collective decision-making model for advancing farm animal welfare.

The Canadian beef industry has played a leading role in the Code development process from the beginning. CCA is a member of NFACC 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. In this role, CCA ensures that regular reviews are initiated to ensure the Code reflects industry progress due to advancements in technology and research, evolving societal expectations and the demands of customers and retailers for responsible animal care. Maintaining an up-to-date Code helps demonstrate the Canadian beef sector’s ongoing commitment to responsible animal care and continuous improvement, whereas an outdated Code undermines confidence in producers and the industry. It is important that all Codes be scientifically informed, practical for producers and reflect societal expectations for responsible farm animal care.

Who Can Participate in the Review Process?

CCA initiated the current review of the Code after a board motion was passed in 2022. The Code is developed through a structured, multi-stakeholder process that includes producers, veterinarians, scientists, transporters, processors, retailers, government, and animal welfare representatives. Decisions are science-informed and consensus-based. The Code of Practice development and review processes give industry groups and producers the opportunity to take ownership of animal welfare.

The process involves two committees: The Code Development Committee and Scientists Committee. The Code Development Committee is the group that drafts the new Code and works toward consensus on requirements and recommended practices. The Science Committee conducts a review of the literature for the priority welfare issues. Their report summarizes the current scientific knowledge and informs the drafting work of the Code Development Committee.

The Code development process includes a public comment period in which all Canadian beef producers will have the opportunity to review the draft Code and provide input to inform the final version.

The Science Committee’s report summarizing research on priority welfare topics for beef cattle can be found online alongside the draft Code once the public comment period opens.

The next step in the review process is the public comment period, when producers and other interested Canadians have the opportunity to review the draft Code and provide feedback before it is finalized.

How is the Beef Code of Practice Used?

The NFACC Codes of Practice are used as a reference document for developing extension and educational materials, the foundation of on-farm quality assurance programs, and to inform regulatory frameworks. 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. A current Code can help inform policy by showing what’s workable and already in place, providing helpful context and a frame of reference on acceptable practices and standards of care in Canada.

Why Should Producers Submit Feedback During the Public Comment Period?

CCA and our provincial partners encourage a robust turnout of producers to provide input on the draft Code and share their perspectives. Producer input is needed to help reflect the broad diversity in which beef cattle are raised in Canada. The Code is an important tool for communicating how beef cattle are raised in Canada. The more producers who review the draft Code the more certain we can be that the final Code will represent how cattle are raised across Canada.

The public comment period is an important step in the process. It is a test of the content’s applicability and acceptability to all who care about how beef cattle are cared for in Canada. Cattle producers, consumers, and others with an interest in the welfare of beef cattle are encouraged to provide input to ensure that this Code reflects a common understanding of beef cattle care expectations and science-based recommended practices in Canada. Past public comment periods have seen high participation from public voices and consumers. Producer perspectives help ensure the Code reflects the diversity of Canadian beef production systems and remains practical for those who care for cattle every day.

CCA fully supports the NFACC process to develop Codes based on consensus. We have empowered producers to engage in these Code processes and, given the diverse views and needs expressed by the Code Committee, support them in giving their consent to a draft Code for public comment. Your views matter. The Code Committee, including those producers empowered by CCA who are engaging on our industry's behalf, need to hear your perspectives on the content.

What are the Next Steps?

The public comment period will open on April 13 and remain open for 60 days. To help producers learn more about the Code and how to participate, CCA will host a producer webinar on the Beef Cattle Code of Practice on Monday, April 13. We encourage producer attendance to learn about the Code, review the draft content and how it differs from the current Code, and learn how to provide feedback. Time will be set aside to answer producer questions. The webinar will be recorded and made available for those who are unable to attend.

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 will also be shared. The finalized Code is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2027.

CCA is developing a mailing list for producers who want to stay informed about progress on the Code review process. To sign up for updates, go to https://cancattle.formstack.com/forms/notifications_about_beef_cattle_code_of_practice