Setting standards for farm animal welfare

Setting standards for farm animal welfare

JMICAWE Director, Cathy Dwyer, has just returned from the annual meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Global Animal Partnership in Austin, Texas. Global Animal Partnership (GAP) is a non-profit organisation that provides an animal welfare certification programme for producers by setting stepped standards for improving animal welfare. At the lowest levels producers must commit to cage and crate free living, with no crowding for their farm animals, rising to animal-centred management at the highest levels. The Scientific Advisory Committee ensures that the standards are based on the best available science of animal welfare.

During the meeting the Committee discussed where there were options to improve animal welfare by reviewing and amending the current standards. In addition, how the system could be extended to new species, such as fish, was also addressed. GAP are currently certifying the welfare of over 400 million animals, in 7 countries around the world, so this has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of many animals.

‘This has been a fascinating insight into how animal welfare can be marketed to consumers, and what aspects of welfare most resonate with buyers of animal products’ Cathy said afterwards.

For more information on GAP see here:  https://globalanimalpartnership.org/