GUELPH, Ontario – The Canadian government will invest more than C$2 million ($1.8 million) toward updating the country's poultry codes and advancing best practices for the care and handling of other farm animals.

The Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC) will update existing animal care codes for the poultry industry and develop three new codes of practice for additional animal sectors. The CAHC is a non-profit organization serving Canada's farmed animal industry.


"Our government is proud to support the poultry industry in achieving the highest possible standards for animal health," said Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux. "Consumers have increasingly high expectations for animal welfare and this investment will help the industry enhance its competitiveness both at home and abroad through promotion of assurance systems that will benefit the entire value chain."

Canada produced poultry products valued at C$3.8 billion ($3.5 billion) in 2012.