American Humane Association Praises Burger King's New Animal Handling Guidelines

American Humane Association
Thursday, 28 June 2001

The American Humane Association (AHA), which last year launched the Free Farmed certification and labeling program, today welcomed Burger King's announcement of improved animal handling guidelines for its suppliers. American Humane's Free Farmed is the nation's only certification and labeling program to ensure consumers that the products they purchase come from humanely raised animals.

AHA's President Timothy O'Brien released the following statement on today's announcement:

"American Humane is very pleased that Burger King is taking steps to improve the lives of farm animals and has added its voice to this important issue. We are heartened that Burger King has gone beyond the industry standard in its requirements to producers on treatment and handling of farm animals. In fact, Burger King's new guidelines incorporate some of American Humane's strict farm animal welfare standards under which the Free Farmed label is awarded. This is an important step forward for farm animals."

"American Humane also echoes Burger King's call for the USDA to better enforce the Humane Slaughter Act. Secretary Veneman must ensure that the USDA has the resources needed to enforce a law that we spent 100 years getting passed."

About the Free Farmed Program:

Launched in September, 2000, the Free Farmed label on food products is the first-ever to certify that farm animals are raised in a humane manner. A Free Farmed label assures consumers that the products they purchase come from animals treated according to animal welfare standards developed by AHA.

The Free Farmed label is awarded to producers based on animal welfare standards developed by the AHA Scientific Committee. The standards outline the housing, and environmental conditions for the animals, and also contain education standards for farm management and staff. The AHA Scientific Committee includes experts in the animal care, veterinary, animal behavior and animal welfare fields with experience in ethical and humane treatment of animals. Currently, standards are in place for egg-laying hens, broiler chickens, dairy and beef cattle, and pigs.

The certification program is administered by Farm Animal Services (FAS), a nonprofit organization created by AHA. FAS oversees the inspection, certification, and compliance of producers and other businesses that have applied for the Free Farmed label. The United States Department of Agriculture verifies FAS's inspection process. For more information on the Free Farmed program, browse the Free Farmed website at www.freefarmed.org. Media requesting more information can contact Jack Sparks, Associate Vice-President, Communications, AHA, at (303) 925-9453.

For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org