Animal welfare is a top priority in organic farming, and organic regulations hold livestock producers to high standards. Organic farmers and ranchers ensure that all animals:
Painful practices such as dehorning or debeaking are not permitted unless absolutely necessary and done with pain management. Stress and suffering during transportation and slaughter must also be minimal.
Canadian organic animal welfare standards are continually improving with input from producers, consumers and many of the organizations listed below.
The following resources offer guidance and best practices for animal care, as well as opportunities to get involved in positive change for farm animals.
Organic: More than just “Humanely raised” (Organic Council of Ontario)
A look at different claims made concerning animal treatment and how organic practices apply.
Canadian Organic Growers (COG) outlines the role of organic standards in animal welfare and provides helpful guidelines.
Animal Welfare in Organic Livestock Production (OACC)
The Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) offers practical resources, research, fact sheets and guidance documents for improving animal welfare in organic agriculture.
National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC)
NFACC is dedicated to farm animal care and welfare in Canada. NFACC brings together diverse stakeholders to develop codes of practice for care and handling and provide a forum for open dialogue on farm animal welfare.
Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals (CCFA)
CCFA recognizes the importance of a broad approach when advocating for improved farm animal welfare, and that systems that care more for animals are also more likely to care for local communities and the surrounding land, ecosystem and water supply on which we depend upon.
BC SPCA Certified Animal Welfare Program
Improving the lives of farm animals and supporting farms certified by Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane, and Global Animal Partnership.