New Label Promotes Farm Animal Care

Starting today, the government will allow farmers to display a seal on meat and dairy products to attest that they treat their cattle and chickens humanely. But the voluntary standards are so stringent that few farmers initially can meet them. To qualify for the “free farmed” seal, farms would have to eliminate cages for laying hens and stop using forced molting, the withdrawal of food and water to increase egg production. Dairy cattle would have to have access to pastures. Standards designed to improve farm conditions for broiler chickens and beef cattle also are in the package. Rules for hog farms are being written. The American Humane Assn. developed the standards and set up Farm Animal Services to inspect farms that want to use the label. The Agriculture Department is to monitor the inspection process. “If you want to improve the lives of farm animals, look for this label,” said Adele Douglas, executive director of Farm Animal Services.