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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. 

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Inside the National Swine Health Strategy - Dr. Dustin Oedekoven

Video: Inside the National Swine Health Strategy - Dr. Dustin Oedekoven



In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, explains the producer-led National Swine Health Strategy and why it is essential for improving U.S. swine health. He discussed industry collaboration, the strategy's initial priorities, why PEDV is the first focus for elimination, research initiatives, and the long-term vision for healthier herds. Listen now on all major platforms.

"The National Swine Health Strategy creates a coordinated approach that moves the entire industry toward common health goals."

Meet the guest: Dr. Dustin Oedekoven / dusty-oedekoven-bb0bb7110 is Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, where he leads initiatives to strengthen U.S. swine health through disease prevention, producer collaboration, and the National Swine Health Strategy. With more than 20 years of experience in veterinary public health and regulatory animal health, his work focuses on protecting the U.S. herd from endemic and foreign animal diseases. Listen to Dr. Dustin Oedekoven on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.