Many food labels can be confusing and misleading. This guide provides definitions and animal welfare implications for some of the most commonly used labels on dairy, egg, meat, and poultry products, including labels used when farmers participate in certification programs. The Pork Checkoff offers several certification programs to help pork producers, animal caretakers, and drivers properly manage their pigs.

Guides and videos help sheep farmers and ranchers stay up-to-date on sheep care and welfare recommendations. The chicken industry has developed specific expectations to ensure broiler chickens i. Experts have written animal husbandry guidelines for farmers raising laying hens i.

The FARM Animal Care Program standards provide dairy farmers with current science and best management practices regarding the welfare of dairy cows.

Animal welfare expert, Dr. Temple Grandin, gives her recommendations for animal handling and auditing various activities at slaughter plants.

Third-party audits and assessments are completed by independent auditors, who have no stake in or are impartial to the farm they are auditing.

Third-party audits can ensure that a certification program's auditors remain consistent and accurate with their inspections as well as provide assurance that the program's welfare guidelines retain high standards. If a farmer or rancher isn't part of a certification program, they may still hire a third-party auditing company to perform a welfare assessment of their farm or operation.

Below is a list of some of third-party audit and assessment companies that can be used by certification programs or farmers and ranchers. These companies also provide animal welfare auditor certification.

Validus has Animal Welfare Review audit programs for the dairy, swine, egg, beef and poultry industries. They also audit pet breeders.

PAACO trains auditors for the swine, dairy, poultry, beef cattle, and feedlot industries. They also provide a list of PAACO trained and certified auditors.

FACTA provides auditing services for poultry chickens, turkeys, ducks, and quail , swine, rabbits, beef cattle, and dairy cattle.

They also conduct animal welfare benchmarking to determine strengths and weaknesses in the animal welfare program.

FSNS offers welfare auditing services for beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, livestock shows and rodeos and more. Cloverleaf performs animal welfare audits for the cattle, swine, sheep, and poultry industries in the United States, Mexico, Europe, and South America.

These audits ensure compliance with the company and country's standards. An official website of the United States government. Here's how you know. The vast majority of the more than 9 billion land animals raised for human consumption in the United States are subjected to a number of abuses—many of which would be illegal if forced on dogs or cats.

Most farm animals are intensively confined in crates, cages or pens so small they can barely move or are overcrowded in filthy, barren sheds. Painful physical mutilations are commonly inflicted on farm animals without any anesthesia and most farm animals are selectively bred for unnaturally high rates of production which dramatically decreases their well-being.

From life on a factory farm to death at a slaughter plant, animals raised for meat, eggs and dairy suffer immensely.

And, as shocking as it may be, much of the abuse these animals endure is completely legal. There are no federal animal welfare laws regulating the treatment of the billions of "food animals" while they're on the farm. Further, while all 50 states have cruelty statutes, most explicitly exempt common farming practices, no matter how abusive—but the HSUS is working to change all that.

View State Farm Animal Protection Laws. Undercover investigations and whistleblowing employees have long played a vital role in exposing appalling animal cruelty, unsafe working conditions and food safety threats in the meat, egg and dairy industries. The plan must be made available to APHIS upon request.

The plan, at a minimum, must comply with the conditions and requirements set forth in section 3. Such exemption must be documented by the attending veterinarian and, unless the basis for the exemption is a permanent condition, must be reviewed at least every 30 days by the attending veterinarian.

b Carriers and intermediate handlers must not accept a dog or cat for transport in commerce unless they are provided with the name, address and telephone number of the consignee. c Carriers and intermediate handlers must not accept a dog or cat for transport in commerce unless the consignor certifies in writing to the carrier or intermediate handler that the dog or cat was offered food and water during the 4 hours before delivery to the carrier or intermediate handler.

The certification must be securely attached to the outside of the primary enclosure in a manner that makes it easily noticed and read. Instructions for no food or water are not acceptable unless directed by the attending veterinarian.

The certification must include the information required in section 3. e Carriers and intermediate handlers must not accept a dog or cat for transport in commerce unless their animal holding area meets the minimum temperature requirements provided in sections 3.

A copy of the certification must accompany the dog or cat to its destination and must include the information required in section 3.

Any person subject to the Animal Welfare regulations 9 CFR parts 1, 2 and 3 must not transport or deliver for transport in commerce a dog or cat unless the following requirements are met:. a 6 The primary enclosure is to be clearly marked on top and on one or more sides with the words "Live Animals", in letters at least 1 inch high, and with arrows or other markings to indicate the correct upright position.

h Accompanying documents and records. Shipping documents that must accompany shipments of dogs and cats must be securely attached in a readily accessible manner to the outside of any primary enclosure that is a part of the shipment, in a manner that allows them to be detached for examination and securely reattached.

Instructions for the administration of drugs, medication, and other special care must be attached to each primary enclosure in a manner that makes them easy to notice, to detach for examination, and to reattach securely.

Food and water instructions must be attached in accordance with section 3. b Any dealer, research facility or exhibitor offering any dog or cat to a carrier or intermediate handler for transportation must securely attach to the outside of the primary enclosure used for transporting the dog or cat, written instructions for the in-transit food and water requirements for a 24 hour period for the dogs and cats contained in the enclosure.

The instructions must be attached in a manner that makes them easily noticed and read. b "Guinea pigs shall not be housed in outdoor facilities unless such facilities are located in an appropriate climate and prior approval for such outdoor housing is obtained from the Deputy Administrator.

c Carriers and intermediate handlers whose facilities fail to meet the minimum temperature requirements may accept live hamsters for transportation if the consignor furnishes a certificate executed by a veterinarian, no more than 10 days prior to delivery for transport, stating that such live hamster is acclimated to air temperatures lower than those prescribed in sections 3.

A copy of such certificate shall accompany the shipment to its destination and shall contain the information required in section 3. Section 3. No person subject to the Animal Welfare regulations shall offer for transportation, or transport, any live guinea pig or hamster in a primary enclosure that does not conform to the requirements in section 3.

g Primary enclosures used to transport live guinea pigs or hamsters shall be clearly marked on top and on one or more sides with the words "Live Animals" in letters not less than 1 inch in height and with arrows or other markings to indicate the correct upright position of the container.

h Documents accompanying the shipment shall be attached in an easily accessible manner to the outside of the primary enclosure. b Any carrier or intermediate handler shall only accept for transportation or transport, in commerce, any live rabbit in a primary enclosure which conforms to the requirements set forth in section 3.

any live rabbit if such consignor furnishes to the carrier or intermediate handler a certificate, signed by the consignor, stating that the primary enclosure complies with section 3.

A copy of such certificate shall accompany the shipment to destination. The certificate shall include the information required in section 3. c Carriers or intermediate handlers whose facilities fail to meet the minimum temperatures allowed by the standards may accept if the consignor furnishes to the carrier or intermediate handler a certificate executed by a veterinarian on a specified date which shall not be more than 10 days prior to delivery of such rabbit for transportation stating that such live rabbit is acclimated to air temperatures lower than those prescribed in sections 3.

No person subject to the Animal Welfare regulations shall offer for transportation or transport any live rabbit in a primary enclosure that does not conform to the requirements in section 3.

f Primary enclosures used to transport live rabbits shall be clearly marked on top and on one or more sides with the words "Live Animals" in letters not less than 1 inch in height and with arrows or other markings to indicate the correct upright position if the container.

g Documents accompanying the shipment shall be attached in an easily accessible manner to the outside of the primary enclosure.

Dealers and exhibitors must develop, document, and follow an appropriate plan for environment enhancement adequate to promote the psychological well-being of nonhuman primates. The plan must be in accordance with the currently accepted professional standards as cited in appropriate professional journals or reference guides, and as directed by the attending veterinarian.

This plan must be made available to APHIS upon request The plan must address the requirements set forth in section 3. The basis for exemption must be recorded by the attending veterinarian for each exempted nonhuman primate.

Unless the basis for exemption is a permanent condition, the exemption must be reviewed at least every 30 days by the attending veterinarian. b "Carriers and intermediate handlers must not accept a nonhuman primate for transport in commerce unless they are provided with the name, address, telephone number, and telex number, if applicable, of the consignee.

c Carriers and intermediate handlers must not accept a nonhuman primate for transport in commerce unless the consignor certifies in writing to the carrier or intermediate handler that the nonhuman primate was offered food and water during the 4 hours before delivery to the carrier or intermediate handler.

Instructions for no feed or water are not acceptable unless directed by the attending veterinarian. Instructions must be in compliance with section 3.

The certification must include the requirements set forth in section 3. e Carriers and intermediate handlers must not accept a nonhuman primate for transport in commerce unless their animal holding area facilities meet the minimum temperature requirements provided in sections 3.

A copy of the certification must accompany the nonhuman primate to its destination and must include the information set forth in section 3. Nonhuman primates must be confined in primary enclosures that meet the requirements of section 3.

f Marking and labeling. Primary enclosures must be clearly marked in English on the top and on one or more sides with the words "Wild Animals", or "Live Animals", in letters at least 1 inch high and with arrows or other markings to indicate the correct upright position of the primary enclosure.

g Accompanying documents and records. Shipping documents that must accompany shipments of nonhuman primates must be securely attached in a readily accessible manner to the outside of any primary enclosure that is part of the shipment, in a manner that allows them to be detached for examination and securely reattached Instructions for administration of drugs, medication, and other special care must be attached to each primary enclosure in a manner that makes them easy to notice, to detach for examination, and to reattach securely.

Consignors who are subject to Animal Welfare regulations 9 CFR parts 1, 2 and 3 must certify that each nonhuman primate was offered food and potable water within the 4 hours preceding delivery of the nonhuman primate to a carrier or intermediate handler for transportation in commerce, and must certify the date and time the food and potable water was offered, in accordance section 3.

b Any dealer or exhibitor offering a nonhuman primate to a carrier or intermediate handler for transportation in commerce must securely attach to the outside of the primary enclosure used for transporting the nonhuman primate, written instructions for a 24 hour period for the in-transit food and water requirements of the nonhuman primate s contained in the enclosure.

b Water and power supply. Written contingency plans must be submitted to and approved by the AC Deputy Administrator regarding emergency sources of water and electric power in the event of failure of the primary sources, when such failure could reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the good health and well-being of the marine mammal housed therein.

The plan must include the requirements in this section: 3. a General. chlorine and copper that are added to the water to maintain water quality standards Records must be kept documenting the time when all such samples were taken and the results of the sampling.

Records of all such test results shall be maintained by management for a 1-year period and must be made available for inspection purposes on request. f All marine mammals must be visually examined by the attending veterinarian at least semiannually and physically examined when determined by the attending veterinarian and at least annually.

g "A complete necropsy must be conducted by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian on all marine mammals that die in captivity. A necropsy report must be prepared by the veterinarian listing all pathologic lesions observed and giving the apparent cause of death.

All diagnostic rests conducted on post mortem specimens shall be listed in the report, and the results of each test recorded. The management of the facility, at which the marine mammal died, must maintain these necropsy records for a period of 3 years and present them to Department inspectors when requested.

b Any carrier or intermediate handler shall only accept for transportation or transport, in commerce, any marine mammal in a primary enclosure which conforms to the requirements set forth in section 3.

if the consignor furnishes to the carrier or intermediate handler a certificate, signed by the consignor, stating that the primary enclosure complies with section 3. The certificate shall include the information set forth in section 3. c Carriers or intermediate handlers whose facilities fail to meet the minimum temperature allowed by the standards may accept for transportation or transport, in commerce, any marine mammal if the consignor furnishes to the carrier or intermediate handler a certificate executed by the attending veterinarian on a specified date which shall not be more than 10 days prior to delivery of such animal for transportation, in commerce, stating that the marine mammal is acclimated to an air temperature range lower or higher than those prescribed is sections 3.

The certificate is to include at least the information required in section 3. f Primary enclosures used to transport marine mammals shall be clearly marked on top and on one or more sides with the words "Live Animal" or "Wild Animal"

Animals bred exclusively for productivity traits, such as high milk production in dairy cows, will be more susceptible to disease and may suffer from physiological problems, as well. However in high welfare systems, farmers select breeds for their ability to thrive in the local farm environment.

Animal Welfare Standards: A Comparison of Industry Guidelines and Independent Labels AWI Fact Sheet. A Consumer's Guide to Food Labels and Animal Welfare AWI Publication.

The Critical Relationship Between Farm Animal Health and Welfare AWI Publication. The content of each paper is kept updated, and all of the reports are available as a downloadable PDF. Farmed Animal Legal Protections. Share This!

share tweet send. Action areas. safeguard welfare. Learn more. shift proteins. support solutions. Progress and updates. Financial institutions are incorporating animal welfare into their policies, practices and procedures. They recognize the risk and return

Raising the bar for the entire dairy industry by establishing dairy animal welfare management guidelines. We know U. dairy farmers take excellent care of their animals. The FARM Animal Care Program develops animal care standards that are science- and outcomes-based and facility- and size-neutral.

Every three years, dairy industry experts revise the FARM Animal Care Program standards. Experts include dairy farmers, animal scientists, veterinarians and milk cooperatives and processors who rely on the latest dairy research to inform necessary revisions.

Events Newsroom Store Blog Contact Us Report Animal Abuse Participant Login. All producers wishing to market their products under the label have had years to get this right, under the assumption that the entire legal framework should have been completed during the second Obama term.

Delaying implementation of some of the poultry standards for five years is unwarranted and, for the producers who already adhere to these standards, unfair and a detriment to their business operations. Rule Likely to Spur Surge in Interest in Organic Products.

When the National Organics Program was created in , Congress recognized that the organic livestock sector was small, only consisting of about producers. All major supermarkets now stock organic products. With no federal legal standards ever in place for farm animals before the OLPP rule, consumers were shopping in the dark when it came to animal welfare.

They had no idea what the backstory was for the animal products in the meat section or the dairy case, even as there was more granular information in the egg section, thanks to the work of Vital Farms and some other animal-welfare-centered companies.

But today, Americans who eat meat and eggs and drink milk have a new opportunity to show that they care about the treatment of animals. If knowledge shapes behavior in the marketplace, it will indeed translate into better living conditions for animals on the farm.

And with so many billions of animals at risk in our food-production system, that is an enormously consequential moment for the movement to give them better lives. Dear reader: If you support substantive policy work to protect animals, please consider donating to Animal Wellness Action today.

You can give any amount one time, or make it a monthly gift, as many of our supporters do. Thank you for helping us fight for all animals. Please go here to make your contribution. First-Ever Farm Animal Welfare Rules Enshrined in Federal Law. Wayne Pacelle October 30, Undercover investigations and whistleblowing employees have long played a vital role in exposing appalling animal cruelty, unsafe working conditions and food safety threats in the meat, egg and dairy industries.

These bills take various forms, including banning photos or videos of a factory farm taken without permission from the owner and making it a crime for an undercover investigator to get work at a factory farm.

You can help by sharing undercover investigations the industry doesn't want the public to see and pledging to reduce your consumption of animal products. The less we support the factory farming industry, the less powerful it will be! Animal agribusiness representatives often claim that it's in their own interest to treat animals well and a common defense of factory farming is that "only happy animals produce.

Each one of us has the ability to help farm animals every time we sit down to eat. Whether it be avoiding the most abusive animal products, such as eggs from caged birds, reducing the amount of animal products we eat or replacing our animal consumption with plant-based foods, we each can use our consumer dollars to improve the lives of farm animals by eating humanely.

Animals on factory farms never breathe fresh air or feel grass beneath their feet. Your generous gift will help reduce the suffering of countless cows, pigs and chickens by supporting our work to improve the lives of farm animals.

Below are a few of the most well-known certification programs. Standards, guidelines, and enrollment vary by program. Mention of commercial enterprises or brand names does not constitute endorsement or imply preference by the U.

Department of Agriculture. This non-profit group provides an inspection, certification and labeling program for meat, poultry, egg and dairy products from animals raised to humane care standards. The GAP's 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating Standards is a certification program for farmers, ranchers, packers, and feeders.

This program was created to certify humane farming and ranching practices of cattle, bison, poultry, goats, and swine. Animal Welfare Approved, a program of A Greener World, audits, certifies and supports independent family farmers raising their animals according to the highest animal welfare standards, outdoors on pasture or range.

A Consumer's Guide to Food Labels and Animal Welfare. Many food labels can be confusing and misleading. This guide provides definitions and animal welfare implications for some of the most commonly used labels on dairy, egg, meat, and poultry products, including labels used when farmers participate in certification programs.

The Pork Checkoff offers several certification programs to help pork producers, animal caretakers, and drivers properly manage their pigs. Guides and videos help sheep farmers and ranchers stay up-to-date on sheep care and welfare recommendations.

The chicken industry has developed specific expectations to ensure broiler chickens i. Experts have written animal husbandry guidelines for farmers raising laying hens i.

The FARM Animal Care Program standards provide dairy farmers with current science and best management practices regarding the welfare of dairy cows.

Animal welfare expert, Dr. Temple Grandin, gives her recommendations for animal handling and auditing various activities at slaughter plants.

Third-party audits and assessments are completed by independent auditors, who have no stake in or are impartial to the farm they are auditing. Third-party audits can ensure that a certification program's auditors remain consistent and accurate with their inspections as well as provide assurance that the program's welfare guidelines retain high standards.

If a farmer or rancher isn't part of a certification program, they may still hire a third-party auditing company to perform a welfare assessment of their farm or operation. Below is a list of some of third-party audit and assessment companies that can be used by certification programs or farmers and ranchers.

These companies also provide animal welfare auditor certification. Validus has Animal Welfare Review audit programs for the dairy, swine, egg, beef and poultry industries. They also audit pet breeders.

PAACO trains auditors for the swine, dairy, poultry, beef cattle, and feedlot industries. They also provide a list of PAACO trained and certified auditors. FACTA provides auditing services for poultry chickens, turkeys, ducks, and quail , swine, rabbits, beef cattle, and dairy cattle.

They also conduct animal welfare benchmarking to determine strengths and weaknesses in the animal welfare program. FSNS offers welfare auditing services for beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, livestock shows and rodeos and more.

Cloverleaf performs animal welfare audits for the cattle, swine, sheep, and poultry industries in the United States, Mexico, Europe, and South America.

These audits ensure compliance with the company and country's standards. An official website of the United States government.

Here's how you know. dot gov icon Official websites use. https icon Secure. Home Animal Health and Welfare Animal Welfare Audit and Certification Programs Animal Welfare Audit and Certification Programs. Certification Programs. Find Animal Care Resources Animal Care Version 5 Development.

FARM Animal Care Version 4 Raising the bar for the entire dairy industry by establishing dairy animal welfare management guidelines. Learn More. Animal Care Task Force Ensuring that the FARM Animal Care Program evolves with the latest research and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

Animal Care Evaluators Providing expert on-farm assessments to identify strengths and detail improvements, if necessary. FARM Animal Care Participants Dedicated to the highest standards of animal care. Task Force Reports Analyzing research and data to accurately represent the dairy industry.

Provide Feedback for your Animal Care Evaluation Learn More. Science-based animal care standards We know U. milk supply comes from farms participating in the FARM Animal Care Program. Featured Resources.