Animal welfare is a top priority for farmers and consumers. It is critical that food animals receive the best quality care- because it is the right thing to do. Most producers follow national, science-based animal welfare guidelines to ensure that their animals are healthy and comfortable. Below are articles related to animal welfare.

APHIS Proposed Rule on Retail Pet Sales Could Impact Farmers
August 2012
The USDA has proposed a revision of regulations implementing the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to redefine "retail pet store." The proposed rule would expand the number and type of animal breeding and husbandry facilities subject to licensure, inspection, and recordkeeping under AWA. The rule has been brought to the Alliance's attention by members who believe it is poorly written and needs to be clarified or thrown out. The comment period closed on August 15.

Read the Alliance's Action Alert.
Read the Alliance's first and second comments to the rule.
Read notes from the August 6 conference call for agriculture stakeholders with USDA officials, organized by the Alliance.

Newly formed Center for Food Animal Wellbeing
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture - July 25,2011
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Center for Food Animal Wellbeing, which is part of the University of Arkansas System's Division of Agriculture, will host its first annual symposium August 18 on advances and current issues in food animal wellbeing. The symposium will be held on the University of Arkansas' Fayetteville campus, and registration is free. More.

Movement to cage-free eggs can have unintended consequences
Drovers - April 26, 2010
The movement of egg-laying hens from cages to cage free production systems could result in more unintentional deaths among these birds. Today's white leghorn chicken, the nation's most popular egg-laying hen, is the product of decades of selective breeding. This breeding has not only resulted in increased egg producing abilities but also heightened territorial instincts. These territorial instincts will increase when these birds are housed in open pens. More.

Group begins study centered on hen housing
Feedstuffs - April 9, 2010
The Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply (CSES) announced a new study to determine which housing systems for egg-laying hens can best provide hen well-being while maintaining an affordable and sustainable egg supply. The study will determine an egg production system that provides a balance of animal health and well-being, food affordability and safety, along with worker safety and environmental stewardship. The study will provide practical, science-based solutions to issues surrounding hen housing. More.

Animal management practice improvements encouraged
Farm Press - March 16, 2010
Producers should take every opportunity available to them to reach out and educate the public and consumers about what they and the industry as a whole is doing to promote and improve the well-being of animals. Dr. D.A. Daley of California State University, Chico made suggestions to producers on speaking about animal welfare. More.

California diaries launch animal care initiative
Dairy Herd - March 10, 2010
Members of California's dairy industry have recently launched a new program that will promote and verify responsible animal care on the states' more than 1,700 dairy farms. This new, innovative program will not only assist farmers in demonstrating the ethical care they provide for their stock, but will also create consistency among animal care practices across the country. More.

AVMA's DeHaven outlines facts about antibiotics
Feedstuffs - March 7, 2010
Dr. W. Ron Dehaven, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Veterinary Medical Association, gave a presentation on the use of antibiotics. In his talk, DeHaven noted that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the usage of these antibiotics to animals to achieve growth performance and to prevent, control, and treat diseases. More.

Study shows that raising pigs indoors is healthier for animals and people
Feedstuffs - December 20, 2009
The raising of hogs in indoor facilities has resulted in fewer swine diseases, few parasites, and a smaller environmental impact. The reduction of these diseases and parasites has positively impacted productivity and has provided a safer, healthier product. Beth Young, swine veterinary with the University of Missouri, stated, "There's a lot of negative information out there about the swine industry and why we've gone to raising pigs in confinement. I think we're trying to illustrate the reasons why we've done this -- the positive impact of raising pigs the way we do today -- the positive impact it has had on pig production." More.

USDA issues humane handling materials for small plants
Meatingplace.com - March 6, 2009
USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service is offering a free DVD and new booklet featuring the methods of Dr. Temple Grandin to help small-scale producers minimize livestock discomfort and accidental injury. The materials, which are presented in both English and Spanish, explain four key elements that the FSIS recommends that establishments adopt in order to avoid noncompliance. More.

UEP Lauded by State of Pennsylvania
Alliance Link - October 2008
In citation dated September 22, 2008, the State of Pennsylvania lauded the United Egg Producers (UEP) for implementing the proper care of egg-laying hens throughout the United States and working in partnership with an independent Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of leading independent experts in veterinary medicine, animal behavior and food safety, to develop the UEP Certified program for modern egg production. More.

Experts List Advantages and Disadvantages of Hen Housing Systems
Alliance Link - August 2008
A panel of animal welfare experts - led by Dr. Jeff Armstrong, Michigan State University and including Don Bell, University of California–Riverside; Dr. Bill Chase, Kestrel Inc.; Dr. Patricia Hester, Purdue University; Dr. Gail Golab, American Veterinary Medical Assn.; Dr. Ruth Newberry, Washington State University; Dr. Janice Swanson, Michigan State University; Dr. Paul Thompson, Michigan State University; and Dr. Joy Mench, University of California-Davis - emphasized that each housing system for laying hens comes with advantages and disadvantages in the August 18, 2008 edition of Feedstuffs. The experts stated that with proper husbandry and selection of equipment, many of these systems can ensure that hens enjoy an acceptable state of welfare. More.

The Current Farm Bill and Animal Agriculture's Enhanced Focus on Communicating About Farm Animal Welfare
AgriTalk - April 8, 2008
Former Congressman Charlie Stenholm discusses the farm bill and indicates that animal welfare will become a greater influence in future farm bills. In this interview broadcast live from the Animal Agriculture Alliance's Seventh Annual Stakeholders Summit, Stenholm indicates that agriculture must explain what it is doing right to ensure its long term viability in the USA. The good news is that we have the Animal Agriculture Alliance and tremendous leadership of animal agriculture focusing on this issue, said Stenholm. The Seventh Annual Stakeholders Summit was held April 8-9, 2008 in Arlington, Virginia. (More, WMA, 1.13 MB)

WHITE PAPERS

Statement by the Animal Agriculture Alliance Coalition: Agriculture's Commitments to Animal Well-Being
View PDF (126 KB)

Animal Welfare and Food Protection
Each segment of the livestock and poultry industries have species-specific educational programs, guidelines and best management practices focused on proper care, handling, facilities and transportation of animals. These programs and guidelines continue to evolve and improve as each industry gains a better understanding of what is necessary for the well-being of animals, through research. More.
View PDF (126 KB)