HFAC Condemns Dairy Farm Animal Cruelty
US - Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), the US organisation aimed at improving the lives of farm animals, has hit out at cruel farming practices recently revealed by ABC News on a segment exposing cruelty on “factory” dairy farms.
5 February 2010
2 minute read
The video shows abuse of dairy cattle by farm workers, cows crowded into barns, never allowed to live outside, and the inhumane practice of docking the tails of the cows.
Humane Farm Animal Care was created to prevent cruelty issues like those brought to light in the investigation.
HFAC’s standards for dairy cows have always prohibited tail docking and tethering of any kind.
The standards require cows have daily outdoor access, have a “dry” period when they are not pregnant or being milked and that managers and caretakers are trained, skilled and competent in animal husbandry and welfare and have good working knowledge of the livestock in their care. The standards also require that sick or injured animals must be treated immediately or euthanised.
Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of farm animals by certifying their humane treatment. Supported by more than 36 humane organizations, the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® program is nationally recognized as the Gold Standard for certifying animal welfare from birth through slaughter. Since the program was unveiled in May 2003, more than 65 companies, representing hundreds of farms and millions of farm animals, have been certified.
HFAC’s Animal Care Standards were developed by a veritable “Who’s Who” of national and international animal scientists and farm-animal welfare experts. Producer compliance with the HFAC standards is verified through annual on-site visits by HFAC’s third-party inspectors.
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