‘Certified Humane’ Label Announced

by Sherry Morse

Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) has announced that it will soon begin a "Certified Humane Raised and Handled" labeling program to identify "meat, poultry, egg or dairy products (that have) come from animals raised at facilities meeting precise, objective and humane standards for farm animal treatment."

In order to obtain permission to place the "Certified Humane" label on products, producers and processors must:

*provide proper nutrition and access to fresh water at all times
*take appropriate disease prevention measures
*offer sufficient space and shelter
*provide the company of other members of animals? species
*comply with the American Meat Institute Standards for slaughter

In addition, animals must not be given feed containing hormones or antibiotics intended to promote growth.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of the United States and other animal welfare organizations will help HFAC administer the labeling program.

"The ‘Certified Humane’ label is based on strict animal handling standards, rigorous on-site inspections of farms in the program and United States Department of Agriculture verification of the process," said ASPCA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy Lisa Weisberg.

"By purchasing products that carry the ‘Certified Humane’ label, consumers will...send a powerful message to the agricultural industry that humane care and treatment of American farm animals should be a priority," said HFAC Executive Director Adele Douglass.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.