Organizations join to promote pig, dairy cow well-being

The “See It? Stop It!” initiative provides tools for pig and dairy farms to educate all employees that animal abuse is not acceptable or tolerated. Farm workers will be encouraged to report abuse.
Reaffirming its strong commitment to animal welfare and well-being, the National Pork Producers Council joined with the National Pork Board, the dairy industry and the Center for Food Integrity – a not-for-profit corporation that builds consumer trust and confidence in today’s food system – to launch an initiative to encourage the immediate reporting of animal abuse, neglect, mishandling or harm.
“Animal well-being always has been the top priority of pork producers,” said NPPC President Randy Spronk, a producer from Edgerton, Minn. “The ‘See It? Stop It!’ initiative confirms that commitment and is a way to let animal caretakers know that it’s their moral responsibility to speak up to stop any animal abuse.”
In fact, as a condition of employment, many pork operations require workers to sign policy documents that confirm their roles and responsibilities for animal care, including the reporting of any animal abuse they witness. Such policies usually include disciplinary action, including termination, for failure to report abuse.
The initiative is an adjunct to the pork industry’s “We Care” program, which promotes pork producers’ long-standing commitment to responsible pork production and to continuous improvement in animal care, handling and transportation. It also bolsters the Pork Quality Assurance® (PQA) Plus® program, which outlines best practices for proper animal care, and the Transport Quality Assurance program, which certifies people who transport hogs in proper care and handling methods.
“I’ve been a pork producer for a long time, and I know for a fact that the overwhelming majority of producers and farm workers do what’s right for their animals every single day of the year,” Spronk said. “This initiative is more proof of that and of producers’ adherence to ethical principles, including protecting and promoting animal well-being.”
Both the U.S. pork and dairy industries provided funding for the initiative. Additional information about it, including an employer checklist, guidance for integrating the initiative into existing animal well-being programs, posters for use in barns and guidance on employee training is available at www.SeeItStopIt.org.

Global Animal Partnership established as farm certification agency

Global Animal Partnership has been organized to set standards for humane production of livestock. GAP will certify producers and encourage supermarket chains and quick-service restaurants to specify compliance with the new GAP standards in supply contracts.
GAP’s Web site indicates the non-profit organization is dedicated to “facilitating and encouraging continuous improvement in animal agriculture” and “is committed to working collaboratively to improve the lives of farm animals.” Five-step programs for welfare rating of broiler and swine production are outlined on the Web site.
Members of the board of directors include Chairwoman Joyce D’Silva (Compassion in World Farming), Margaret Wittenberg and John Mackey (Whole Foods Market), Wayne Pacelle (Humane Society of the United States), Steven Gross (corporate consultant to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), Mike Baker (World Society for the Protection of Animals), Dan Probert (Country Natural Beef), George Siemon (Organic Valley), Jim Webster (AgResearch), and Paul Willis (Niman Ranch Pork Company). Ian J. Duncan, professor emeritus and chair in animal welfare, University of Guelph, Canada, is chairman GAP’s Welfare and Farming Advisory Committee.

New Web site scrutinizes HSUS

The Center for Consumer Freedom, a nonprofit coalition of food industry groups and individuals, has launched HumaneWatch.org, a new Web site dedicated to scrutinizing the activities of the Humane Society of the United States.
HumaneWatch will include a blog written by David Martosko, the center’s director of research; a document library; and a database for tracking the non-profit and for-profit organizations involved with the Humane Society of the United States.
“Someone has to ask the hard questions about the Humane Society of the United States, and HumaneWatch will be a relentless source of useful information,” said Martosko. He said that most donors to the Humane Society of the United States believe that their money goes to local pet shelters, although such grants make up only a small portion of expenditures.
The Center for Consumer Freedom said in a press release that, “in 2008, less than one-half of one percent of HSUS’s budget consisted of grants to actual hands-on ‘humane societies’ that deal with the thankless task of sheltering unwanted pets,” while the Humane Society reported that 5.4% of expenditures went to animal care facilities in 2008.
According to the Humane Society’s Web site, the organization “protects all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, science, advocacy and field work.” Local shelters that operate under the name Humane Society are independent organizations that affiliate with the national group.
“HumaneWatch will create an open dialogue for farmers, scientists, fashion designers, entertainers, and countless Americans who love both their pets and their chicken sandwiches,” said Martosko.