AUSTIN, Texas – The Humane Society of the United States is
applauding the National Organic Standards Board for resisting
an effort by the meat industry to relax animal welfare
standards for poultry to be labeled “organic.”
In a 12-1 vote yesterday, the National Organic Standards
Board affirmed its previous position that producers who label
their poultry “organic” must allow those birds to have access
to the outdoors. The vote followed a contentious meeting of the
livestock board, during which the meat industry challenged this
rule.
“This is a clear victory for farm animals,” said Dr. Michael
Appleby, HSUS vice president for farm animals and sustainable
agriculture.
Dr. Appleby presented a paper to the NOSB that outlined the
ways in which animal behavior and welfare are improved by
access to the outdoors and the elimination of confinement. Dr.
Robert Hadad, director of programs for The HSUS’ farm animals
and sustainable agriculture section, attended the meeting and
presented oral testimony.
Chickens raised for food are typically housed in intensive
confinement systems and are not allowed to go outside.
Typically, 20,000 to 30,000 chickens are kept in one building
with only one-half to one-square foot per bird. This extreme
confinement leads to physical and behavior problems. Other
concerns include the build up of ammonia and dust from the
volume of waste products that such a huge number of animals
create. A lack of ventilation means that a heat wave or a cold
snap can mean death for thousands of chickens.
By contrast, organic farms raise much smaller numbers of
chickens and other poultry who are housed in more traditional
houses. The birds are provided with the safety of a house but
permitted to go outdoors. Their diet is far superior to that of
factory farmed birds and does not include non-therapeutic
antibiotics.
“The explosive growth of the organic meat market over the
last decade has led to repeated attempts by the livestock
industry to paint their harmful and inhumane practices as
organic,” said Appleby. “The Humane Society of the United
States is pleased that the body appointed to define organic
practices has sided with consumers and resisted what has been
an all out assault on well-established methods for organic
farming.”
