Market Access & Development

Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Finfish

CAIA has initiated talks with the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) about the development of a Code of Practice for finfish farming.

The Codes of Practice are nationally developed guidelines for the care and handling of farm animals. The Codes serve as the national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices.

Codes of Practice are intended to promote sound management and welfare practices through recommendations and requirements for housing, care, transportation, processing and other animal husbandry practices. Codes serve as educational tools, reference materials for regulations, and the foundation for animal care assessment programs.

Fish welfare is among top priorities for Canadian finfish farmers.  The new Code of Practice will provide farmers a recognized scheme to demonstrate their commitment to maintaining high welfare standards at all times.

Canada’s Code development process is led by NFACC. Key components of the process are:

• the inclusion of scientific committees to review research on priority welfare issues;
• ownership of the individual Codes by the relevant stakeholders through their active participation in developing the Code; 
• measurable components to facilitate the development of assessment programs; and
• a transparent process.

CAIA will select four member representatives to serve for this work, and this group will consult with the CAIA Technical Committee. For more information contact: tim.kennedy@aquaculture.ca