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U.S. Egg Industry Introduces Sweeping Changes to Animal Welfare Standards

U.S. Egg Industry Introduces Sweeping Changes to Animal Welfare Standards

Published 06-27-02

Submitted by United Egg Producers

Washington, D.C. - United Egg Producers (UEP) today announced a new certification program that brings significant animal welfare changes to the industry.

The new guidelines, which are based on scientific studies, include increasing the space allowance per hen and improving air quality, beak trimming, molting and handling procedures. The guidelines were announced today by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR) as part of a comprehensive animal welfare program.

"Eggs will never be produced in the same way again," said Al Pope, president of United Egg Producers. "This has been a project that has been three years in development and we are very pleased to have worked with FMI and NCCR in bringing these changes to the marketplace."

In 1999, the UEP commissioned an independent scientific advisory committee to review the treatment of egg producing hens and provide its recommendations for industry standards. Committee members included representatives from the USDA, scientists, U.S. Humane Association and academics. They found that the industry's current practices were not inhumane, but there were areas that could be improved.

The new guidelines place top priority on the comfort, health and safety of the chickens, and include:

-- Increased cage space per hen, which is being phased in to avoid market disruptions;
-- Standards for molting procedures based on the most current, verified scientific studies;
-- Standards for trimming of chicks' beaks, when necessary, to avoid pecking and cannibalism;
-- Maintaining constant supply of fresh feed, water and air ventilation throughout the chicken house, and monitoring for ammonia;
-- Standards for daily inspection of each bird as well as standards for handling and transportation of birds;
-- Availability of a new training video to instruct producer staffs on the proper handling of chickens to avoid injury to the animals.

The UEP has also commissioned three scientific studies to identify the safest, most humane and effective practices for induced molting among hens. The industry plans to recommend changes for molting as appropriate once the research is completed, which is expected to occur in the fall of 2002.

Producers adhering to the guidelines will be audited yearly through an independent certification program. While adherence to the certification program is currently voluntary, the UEP received an overwhelmingly positive response as it unveiled the program in January to producers. 135 of the top egg-producing companies in the U.S. have adopted the recommended certification standards. This represents 180 million egg-laying chickens or nearly two-thirds of all the egg-producing chickens nationwide.

The UEP is developing a welfare seal for egg cartons to help retailers and consumers identify eggs that meet certification standards.

The UEP continues to lead the egg industry in implementing proactive programs such as these welfare enhanced production guidelines. Other proactive programs include the development of quality assurance guidelines on food safety and the environmental friendly management systems.

For more information on the FMI announcement, please call (202) 452-8444. For more information on the UEP guidelines, please call (202) 842-2345 ext. 313.

Media: For more information or interviews, please call (404) 479-2231.

United Egg Producers

United Egg Producers

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