In my last article about food borne illnesses, I wrote about the need for all of us to ask more questions and demand that our food is safe. I just received my copy of The Humane Review which is a publication that is done by the American Humane Association. While looking through this publication, I read about their new farm animal certification program which is called American Humane Certified.
This program is voluntary to all food producers and is a certification program that will provide for the health and welfare of farm animals. If a food producer is accepted into the program, they can label their products American Humane Certified which means that their facilities have passed a rather extensive audit and have proven that they are committed to handling and caring for the animals in a humane way.
Food producers have to agree to very strict standards about the treatment of their animals which includes providing abundant fresh water and a healthy diet, providing appropriate space and shelter, providing timely medical attention, and by allowing animals to behave naturally in their environments.
Food producers wanting to join the program have to submit to an audit of their operation. This audit uses science based standards on humane care of animals and is carried out by trained, certified professionals with backgrounds in veterinary medicine or animal science. Producers have to be capable of passing the initial application and audit process, and then have to submit to yearly audits and video monitoring of their facilities on a daily basis.
This program not only ensures that farm animals are humanely cared for, but it is also a way for food producers to show that they are behaving ethically. This translates into increased profits for food producers because the public is becoming more and more aware of this issue and is starting to demand more accountability from these businesses.
While the program is still catching on, more food producers are hearing the public’s opinion on this issue. Anyone reading this can help by doing these five simple things.
First, only buy American Humane Certified products. Second, if you cannot find these products easily-start asking your grocer and restaurant owners to buy these products if they want your business. Third, make sure your friends, family, coworkers, etc… know about this issue and this program.
Fourth, make a donation to American Humane for this program, and fifth, write a letter or two to any food producing companies that you may know of in your city or town and ask them to participate in the program.
Almost 60% of Americans are really concerned about this issue. We all have the power to change how our food is produced if we just keep letting everyone know how we feel. It will take time, but soon, food producers will hear our voices and make the changes we desire. If you would like to learn more about the American Humane Certified program, go to www.thehumanetouch.org. If you would like to read the latest copy of The Humane Review, go to www.americanhumane.org and download your copy.
