Post by AnimalAvenger on Oct 21, 2009 19:59:04 GMT -5
Many people believe free-range is cruelty-free and totally humane, but they do not even know what free-range really means, at least according to USDA standards.
Some also believe that organic is humane.
The only requirement of the label "organic" is the animals cannot receive anti-biotics. This does not mean the animal has been treated fairly at all.
There is also the "hormone-free" chicken label.
From what I've read thus far, cage-free has no government-set regulations.
From the HSUS:
www.hsus.org/farm/camp/nbe/compare.html
Free range/roaming (USDA-approved)
There is no standard definition of this claim. For poultry, the USDA says that animals must be "allowed access to the outside." An animal given "access" to the outdoors, but which remains inside or ventures out only to a concrete slab, can still be labeled "free range." Another point of confusion is that, in practice, some poultry producers may use the term "free roaming" differently than "free range," even though they are technically the same under USDA definitions. Some producers may use "free roaming" to mean the bird was raised without cages; the claim does not imply any access to the outside. There are currently no definitions for free range/free roaming beef, pork or eggs.
www.keepantibioticsworking.com/pages/consumers/labels.cfm#fr
There is no standard definition of this claim. For poultry, the USDA says that animals must be "allowed access to the outside." An animal given "access" to the outdoors, but which remains inside or ventures out only to a concrete slab, can still be labeled "free range." Another point of confusion is that, in practice, some poultry producers may use the term "free roaming" differently than "free range," even though they are technically the same under USDA definitions. Some producers may use "free roaming" to mean the bird was raised without cages; the claim does not imply any access to the outside. There are currently no definitions for free range/free roaming beef, pork or eggs.
www.keepantibioticsworking.com/pages/consumers/labels.cfm#fr
Some also believe that organic is humane.
Certified Organic (third party)
Organic agriculture is a system of production that promotes management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony while minimizing the use of off-farm inputs. Meat certified as organic is from animals that cannot be raised using antibiotics or other drugs - if an animal becomes sick and must be fed antibiotics, it cannot be sold as organic. Animals must be raised on organic feed, grown in soil certified free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The equipment and mill that mix and deliver the organic feed, as well as the meat processing plant, also must meet organic standards.
Under requirements of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, the USDA recently finalized new federal standards for organic food. Several dozen organizations nationwide are accredited to grant organic certification under federal and state laws.
www.keepantibioticsworking.com/pages/consumers/labels.cfm#organic
Organic agriculture is a system of production that promotes management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony while minimizing the use of off-farm inputs. Meat certified as organic is from animals that cannot be raised using antibiotics or other drugs - if an animal becomes sick and must be fed antibiotics, it cannot be sold as organic. Animals must be raised on organic feed, grown in soil certified free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The equipment and mill that mix and deliver the organic feed, as well as the meat processing plant, also must meet organic standards.
Under requirements of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, the USDA recently finalized new federal standards for organic food. Several dozen organizations nationwide are accredited to grant organic certification under federal and state laws.
www.keepantibioticsworking.com/pages/consumers/labels.cfm#organic
The only requirement of the label "organic" is the animals cannot receive anti-biotics. This does not mean the animal has been treated fairly at all.
There is also the "hormone-free" chicken label.
While we’re on this topic, one thing does require clarification. Hormones have not been approved for use in U.S. egg or poultry production by the FDA. So, there’s really no such thing as a chicken with hormones anyway. Those farmers labeling their chickens as “hormone-free” are either using that term out of ignorance of this fact (highly unlikely) or they’re simply trying to con you into thinking their chickens are better than anyone else’s. Either way, it makes no difference, so ignore that on the label. This applies to both organic and conventional.
transformation-nc.com/blog/usda-free-range-chicken-eggs/
transformation-nc.com/blog/usda-free-range-chicken-eggs/
From what I've read thus far, cage-free has no government-set regulations.
From the HSUS:
Because of public opposition to battery cage confinement, many egg producers are switching to cage-free systems. While these systems generally offer hens a higher level of animal welfare than do battery cage systems, the mere absence of cages doesn't necessarily ensure a high level of welfare.
Most cage-free hens live in very large flocks that can consist of many thousands of hens who never go outside. However, unlike battery hens, cage-free hens are able to walk, spread their wings and lay their eggs in nests. Cage-free egg producers who obtain certification under the better welfare standards programs must provide perching and dust-bathing areas for the birds as well. These advantages are very significant to the animals involved.
Most cage-free hens live in very large flocks that can consist of many thousands of hens who never go outside. However, unlike battery hens, cage-free hens are able to walk, spread their wings and lay their eggs in nests. Cage-free egg producers who obtain certification under the better welfare standards programs must provide perching and dust-bathing areas for the birds as well. These advantages are very significant to the animals involved.
Cage-free hens are spared several cruelties that are inherent to battery cage systems. But it would nevertheless be a mistake to consider cage-free facilities to necessarily be "cruelty-free." Here are some of the more typical sources of animal suffering associated with cage-free egg production:
* Cage-free farms typically buy their hens from the same hatcheries that supply battery-cage farms. These hatcheries kill the male chicks upon hatching—more than 200 million each year in the United States alone.
* Most cage-free hens have part of their beaks burned off, a painful mutilation.
* Hens are typically slaughtered at less than two years old, far less than half their normal lifespan. They are often transported long distances to slaughter plants with no food or water.
* While the vast majority of the battery and cage-free egg industry no longer uses starvation to force molt the birds, there are battery and cage-free producers alike who still use this practice.
* Cage-free farms typically buy their hens from the same hatcheries that supply battery-cage farms. These hatcheries kill the male chicks upon hatching—more than 200 million each year in the United States alone.
* Most cage-free hens have part of their beaks burned off, a painful mutilation.
* Hens are typically slaughtered at less than two years old, far less than half their normal lifespan. They are often transported long distances to slaughter plants with no food or water.
* While the vast majority of the battery and cage-free egg industry no longer uses starvation to force molt the birds, there are battery and cage-free producers alike who still use this practice.
www.hsus.org/farm/camp/nbe/compare.html
