Animal Welfare

The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program is a nationally coordinated, state-specific program that provides cattle farmers and ranchers in every segment of the industry the principles, tools and education to ensure proper cattle care and raise the best quality beef possible.
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The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), in conjunction with Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI), introduced the National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management™ (FARM) Program in October 2009. The FARM program is designed to assure the quality, safety and wholesomeness of dairy products.
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Due to advances in technology and research, veal producers announced in 2007 that all veal farms will be transitioned into a group housing barn system by 2017. The American veal industry estimates that in 2012, 60 percent of veal calves were raised in group housing barns. Veal farmers place animal care as a top priority on their farms to ensure safe, wholesome, high-quality products for consumers.
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To assist individuals and companies who produce and process chickens for food, the National Chicken Council (NCC) developed the NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines and Audit Checklist for Broilers and Broiler Breeders. These guidelines have been widely adopted across the chicken industry and are commonly used by customers the chicken industry serves. These guidelines cover every phase of a chicken’s life including hatching, on-farm, transportation and processing.
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The United Egg Producers (UEP) developed its first hen care guidelines in the early 1980s. UEP Certified was launched in 2002 as science-based animal well-being standards based on recommendations from an independent and unpaid Scientific Advisory Committee. UEP continues to convene this committee to evaluate hen well-being standards, review existing research, conduct new research and recommend best practices. The UEP Certified guidelines were last updated in 2016. The majority of American egg farmers voluntarily participate in UEP Certified, choosing to open their farms to independent auditors. Eggs from farms that participate in the UEP Certified program feature the UEP Certified seal on the egg carton.
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The National Turkey Federation (NTF) developed guidelines in 1990 to promote humane turkey production. The Animal Care Best Management Practices (AC-BMP) manual was developed as a guideline for humane production and slaughter practices and was last updated in September 2012.
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The Sheep Care Guide, sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), was originally published in 1996. The 2005 edition has been updated and expanded to include new research findings regarding animal care. The Sheep Care Guide provides sheep producers with research-based guidelines to assist them in providing optimum care for their sheep in areas such as: Nutrition, Facilities and Handling, Animal Health, Transportation and Managing Predation.
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The Pork Checkoff’s Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus®) program was introduced in 2007 to demonstrate the commitment of U.S. pork producers make to providing pork that is safe, high quality and responsibly produced. PQA Plus provides guidelines for providing proper care to ensure swine well-being with curriculum that specifically addresses caretaker training, animal observation, emergency back-up support, space allocation, timely euthanasia, facilities, handling and movement, ventilation and air quality and zero tolerance for willful acts of abuse.
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The Safe Feed, Safe Food (SF/SF) Certification Program was created in 2004 by the American Feed Industry Association to demonstrate and ensure continuous improvement in the delivery of a safe and wholesome feed supply for the growth and care of animals. In addition AFIA has the Pet Food Manufacturing Facility Certification Program, a program designed specifically for pet food manufacturers.
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The U.S. meat packing industry is regulated by the Humane Slaughter Act. Federal inspectors in plants (during every minute of operation) ensure compliance with this important law and can take immediate action for violations. In 1991, the industry teamed with leading animal welfare expert Dr. Temple Grandin to develop voluntary guidelines that took federal regulations a step further. In 1997, the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) and Dr. Grandin together developed an audit program to measure key factors in plants that can indicate stress.
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The Guide to Animal Handling and Employee Training for Livestock Auction Markets is provided by the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) and designed to serve as a tool to assist their members in following a structured animal handling and employee education program. Revised in 2014, the handbook includes guidlines on how to manage livestock in movement, injured or nonmobile animals. While the types of livestock and facility styles vary, the animal handling techniques outlined in the program are important for all livestock market owners, managers and employees to follow.

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