Providing a Safe, Abundant Food Supply to a Hungry World

Animal Welfare and the Animal Agriculture Alliance
A major goal of the Animal Agriculture Alliance is to improve communications among farmers, ranchers, processors, food retailers and consumers, helping people better understand the role animal agriculture plays in providing a safe, abundant food supply to a hungry world.

The average American is now at least three generations removed from the farm and has become dependent on supermarkets and restaurants to supply almost all food needs. Today more than ever, consumers need accurate, science-based facts to better understand animal agriculture and its importance to their overall quality of life.

Animal welfare has always been important to farmers and ranchers, and good animal husbandry is still an essential component on all modern animal farms and ranches today. Because animal welfare is a new concern to many consumers, ensuring the public is aware of farmers' and ranchers' commitment to their animals has become a top priority across the livestock industry. And it's not just a commitment of the producers but rather of each stakeholder throughout the food chain.

It begins on the farm, where livestock producers know if animals are well cared for, they will be healthy and productive. These are some of the reasons that research-based animal welfare guidelines are in place to help farmers, ranchers and processors improve the lives of the animals that depend on them. Collectively, the agriculture industry has spent years and millions of dollars on research and development to ensure the practices used in modern farming and ranching today are scientifically and ethically sound toward ensuring farm animal welfare and providing wholesome, nutritious food for today's families across America and around the globe.

Veterinary and animal behavior experts constantly refine and improve animal welfare guidelines to keep pace with new advances in research. These programs affect all meat, dairy and poultry products found in most retail outlets, with some brands adding additional requirements.

The animal welfare programs found in this brochure are only part of the extensive and intensive measures that America's farmers, ranchers and processors take to ensure their animals' welfare. For more detailed information, please contact the Animal Agriculture Alliance or any of the organizations noted on the back directly.

WHITE PAPERS

Statement by the Animal Agriculture Alliance Coalition: Agriculture's Commitment to Animal Well-Being
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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.
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