The B-C government is incorporating the National Dairy Code of Practice into the provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The Code is one of several created by the National Farm Animal Care Council.
Those codes are for different sectors of animal agriculture and are set up as a non-binding set of guidelines.
This move by the B-C government means not following the dairy code could result in charges under the province's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The B-C dairy industry was shaken by an undercover video shot by an animal rights group at one of the province's major dairy farms.
The video showed examples of apparent abuse of animals on that farm.
B-C Dairy Association Chief Executive Officer Dave Eto says the industry is pleased with the government's decision.
Mercy for Animals Canada - the group which released the undercover video - says it hopes B-C's move will inspire other provinces to follow suit in increasing the legal protections granted to farm animals.
