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Overview
In general, farmers and ranchers raising animals for the production of food and fiber have long known that healthy animals are productive animals. Producer livestock associations and allied industries have established voluntary science-based guidelines for the health and well-being of animals to ensure a safe, abundant food supply for consumers.
It is now possible for farmers who care for their animals using specific types of production practices to become certified with third-party agencies. This certification process offers farmers a label and marketing niche for the products to be sold. The certification process also communicates to consumers that products were raised a certain way.
Animal guidelines extend through the processing and retailing channels, too. The Food Marketing Institute, which represents food retailers and wholesalers, and the National Council of Chain Restaurants also have animal welfare policies on how animals are raised, transported and processed.
Sources
International Animal Rights/Welfare
Restaurants and Retailers Animal Rights/Welfare Information
- Animal Welfare, Food Marketing Institute - The site contains the organization’s animal welfare policy and program components.
- Animal Welfare Program, KFC - Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, formed the Animal Welfare Advisory Council to provide the company with information and advice regarding animal welfare issues.
- Animal Welfare Standards, Whole Foods Market - This site by the self-proclaimed largest retailer of natural and organic foods in the world lists the standards it requires of food producers.
- Food Sellers Push Animal Welfare, USA Today, Aug. 12, 2003 - In response to their consumers, supermarkets and fast food restaurants have shown increased concern for animal welfare in the past five years.
- Jack’s Way of Doing Business, Jack in the Box - This Web site lists the animal welfare principles of Jack in the Box restaurants.
- McDonald’s Corporate Social Responsibility, Animal Welfare - This site lists the animal welfare guiding principles of McDonald’s.
- Of Church and Steak: Farming for the Soul, New York Times, August 22, 2007 - This article discusses a growing trend, faith-based farming, or farming according to religious principles. Adherents within the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths stress practices like fair treatment of farm workers, respect for the environment and humane treatment of animals. The article notes that "religious institutions oversee the production of $250 billion per year in food if you bundle together halal, kosher and institutional buying."
- Restaurants are Responding to Humane Farming Issues, Fast Food Embracing Animal Welfare, CBS Evening News, Nov. 5, 2003.
- Sauder’s Eggs Animal Welfare Program, Sauder’s Eggs - This Pennsylvania-based egg wholesaler has implemented animal welfare guidelines and places a 'Certified Animal Care' seal on every egg carton.
- Wendy’s Animal Welfare Program- This site includes information on beef, pork and chicken supplier requirements.
Other Links
- Animal Welfare, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, USDA.
- Animal Welfare, Temple Grandin, Ph.D., Colorado State University - This site includes information addressing animal welfare from the production and processing standpoints and includes a list of related Web sites.
- Animal Welfare Position Statements, The American Veterinary Medical Association - This association of more than 75,000 veterinarians lists its position on animal welfare issues.
Checked February 2008.
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