GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. — The draft code of practice for the care and handling of bison is scheduled to be released for public comment Nov. 21 and will be open until Jan. 17.
Dr. Jayson Galbraith, a veterinarian with Alberta Agriculture who serves on the code development committee, said work on the updated code began in March 2015. It is one of many livestock codes written and updated by the National Farm Animal Care Council.
“Keep in mind this code is for the on-farm component of raising the animals. It’s not to do with slaughter plants,” Galbraith told bison producers at the Oct. 22 Peace Country regional meeting of Bison Producers of Alberta.
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“This is just appropriate euthanasia, also understanding bison behaviour and how that can impact the management of the animal, and then pain, recognizing, identifying pain, when to intervene, what is a painful procedure and that sort of thing.”
Nutritional requirements and the effect of seasonality on nutritional needs are also priorities.
As is standard in the code development practice, a scientific committee provides input, and its report is peer reviewed before being provided to the larger code development committee.
“That report then helps the code development committee continue on in making statements on requirements and recommended practices … based on science,” Galbraith said.
“In bison, we have a challenge because there just hasn’t been a whole bunch of scientific research done compared to dairy cattle and beef and sheep and things like that.”
Public comments are incorporated into the plan where necessary, and Galbraith encouraged bison producers to review the draft once posted.
“The purpose is to solicit feedback from stakeholders and to help improve the code,” he said.
“This is where, as bison producers, I think it would be great if we had a high level of participation from you guys.”
The finalized code will include requirements and recommendations on the proper care and handling of bison. Galbraith said it can also serve as a guide to new entrants to the bison industry.
The final code is expected to be ready by next fall.
