Advocating for the highest quality of care on Canada’s farms

DPAC supports industry efforts to increase transparency and accountability and encourage continuous improvement with regard to the care and welfare of animals.

Advancing animal welfare practices in Canada requires ongoing collaboration. DPAC works closely with Dairy Farmers of Canada to support their efforts to ensure that farmers are given the tools and guidance they need to continue to meet the high standard of animal care and welfare that Canada’s processors and their customers have come to expect.

A Strong Animal Welfare System
As an active member of the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), DPAC represents the expectations of Canada’s dairy processors, their customers, and Canadian consumers in the development guidance and best practices in the care and handling of animals.

Working alongside farm, veterinary, government experts, as well as animal welfare associations, like Humane Canada, DPAC has contributed to the modernization of national guidelines for the care and handling of dairy cattle and goats. 

The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle (Updated 2023)

The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Goats (Updated 2022)

These Codes use the latest evidence to provide critical guidance and promote sound management and welfare practices for housing, care, transportation and other animal husbandry practices. They are used as reference materials for regulations, educational tools, and, in the case of the dairy cattle code, used as the foundation for Dairy Farmers of Canada’s proAction program. 

Canada’s dairy processors have long refused to take the milk from farms which fail to meet the high standards of care set by provincial boards and the Dairy Farmers of Canada. DPAC has consistently outlined our expectations of Canada’s dairy farmers and the provincial boards that collect and sell their milk.