Biosecurity & Health
On-Farm Food Safety Program
Canadian turkey farmers are on the leading edge of production with respect to food safety and quality.
The Turkey Farmers of Canada’s On-Farm Food Safety Program (OFFSP) is a national program that details specific steps to reduce and control potential food-safety hazards on-farm. The Program incorporates biosecurity procedures and requires detailed on-farm record keeping and documentation, which is audited on a regular basis.
Implementation of the OFFSP ensures that Canadian turkey farmers continue to produce turkey of the highest quality and safety for consumers.
Flock Care Program
Canadian turkey farmers are committed to providing wholesome and safe food to consumers in a way that ensures the humane care and treatment of their birds.
Turkey Farmers of Canada’s Flock Care Program (FCP) is an auditable national program that provides turkey farmers with measures to ensure the proper handling and care of their birds.
Based on the Canadian Recommended Code of Practice for the Safe Care and Handling of Farm Animals: Turkeys and Breeders from Hatchery to Processing Plant, as well as other international programs and standards, the Flock Care Program requires detailed on-farm record keeping and documentation, and complements the animal care-related measures covered by the On-Farm Food Safety Program.
Code of Practice – The Code of Practice are nationally developed guidelines for the care and handling of different species of farm animals. Codes are not intended to be used as production manuals but rather as an educational tool in the promotion of sound husbandry and welfare practices. The Codes contain recommendations to assist farmers and others in the agriculture and food sector to compare and improve their own management practices.
View the Poultry Code of Practice
Antibiotics
Turkeys, like any other living creatures, can sometimes become sick. Medication, approved by Health Canada, is given only when necessary to treat infections, and is always administered under the supervision of a veterinarian. If medication must be used to care for sick birds, a withdrawal period is required before any bird can be marketed.
The farmer is responsible for documentation from the first day of medication use until the last day of use and must also sign a record stating that the correct withdrawal time has take place. This information is then reported to the processor.
Through poultry inspection programs, CFIA monitors and tests for a wide variety of contaminants, including veterinary drugs, to help ensure turkey farmers follow the rules and that consumers receive a safe, wholesome product.
