Safeway eggs earn Certified Humane designation

Humane Farm Animal Care has announced that all of Safeway's brands of cage-free and organic eggs have earned the Certified Humane designation. Those brands include Lucerne Cage Free, O-Organic and Open Nature eggs. Safeway is the first major retailer in the U.S. to require all of their cage-free and organic egg producers to become Certified Humane.
"Safeway's commitment has been unique and impressive," said Adele Douglass, Humane Farm Animal Care's founder and CEO. "All of their suppliers had to make the changes necessary to become certified. As a result, they have had a major impact on improving the lives of millions of laying hens in the United States. Safeway's leadership is unparalleled within the retail food industry."
Safeway has been working with Humane Farm Animal Care since June 2008, when Michael Talbott, one of the Safeway supplier quality management team members, chose the organization out of several animal welfare certification programs Safeway was considering.

Whole Foods introduces welfare rating system for poultry, pork, beef

Whole Foods Market has certified all its fresh poultry, pork and beef sold in its U.S. stores under the 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating system, which identifies incrementally higher welfare practices and conditions within farm animal production systems.
The system uses independent third-party certifiers to audit and rate farms' animal welfare practices and conditions using a tiered system that ranges from Step 1 (no crates, cages or crowding) to Step 5+ (animals spend their entire lives on one farm). Whole Foods is the first retailer to adopt the system, and began rolling it out in February 2011. Now, all fresh beef, pork and chicken sold in its U.S. stores meat departments carry a Step certification. To date, more than 1,300 farms and ranches have been certified. "Whole Foods Market has worked hand-in-hand with our producers for many years to encourage a humane approach to raising animals," said Anne Malleau, global animal production and welfare coordinator. "Now, the 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating system provides a way to engage and reward these producers by promoting continuous improvement in farm animal welfare. This rating system also informs our customers about how the animals are raised for the meat they are buying."
The company said its next step is to certify further processed meats like bacon and ham to the system.

Animal Welfare Approved takes part in UK 'AssureWel' project

Animal Welfare Approved is partnering on a new project with Bristol University Veterinary School, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Soil Association to improve how animal welfare is assessed.
The "AssureWel" project will assess the outcome of standards, rather than just judging how well a farm complies with those standards. When judging compliance of animal welfare standards, an auditor will look at things like how much space an animal has and what kind of food they are getting. Outcome measurements look at things like animal behavior and health, as well as farm records on lameness incidence and mortality. By combining both the outcome of standards and a farm's compliance with standards, auditors will get the best picture possible of animal welfare.
"AssureWel" takes standards auditing to a new level of transparency and fact-based research according to AWA. Greater use of outcome measurements in welfare programs ensure that scientifically sound judgments can be made to confirm that the animals in the programs attain real welfare benefits. "We have always objected to outcome measures alone," said AWA program director Andrew Gunther. "They have the potential to hide negative systems. But this training allows us to use the best of both systems. It will ensure AWA stays at the forefront of farm animal welfare auditing."

Tecno receives American Humane Association 'Seal of Approval' for 'Colony Plus 60' poultry housing system

Tecno Poultry Equipment has received the "Seal of Approval" from the American Humane Association for its Colony Plus 60 enriched colony housing.
The Seal of Approval is presented when a company's housing system satisfies all the requirements of the Facility System Plan Design review. Tecno can now market the housing as meeting humane standards. The award was presented on Nov. 1.

Animal Welfare Approved to offer free consulting services

In response to the recent U.S. shell egg recall, Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) is offering its consulting services free of charge to any farmer interested in starting up a pasture-based egg operation.
"AWA farmers who are raising laying hens are already experiencing a significant increase in demand for pastured eggs and many are concerned they cannot satisfy it," said AWA Program Director Andrew Gunther. "That's why we are encouraging farmers to contact us for set-up advice." The AWA also has a mentoring program that matches new and experienced farmers.