Certified Humane

Hello All,

Just got an email from SuperForester Jon who wanted to let us know about Certified Humane, a company that ensures that farmed animals are treated humanely.

Take it away, Jon!

(photo via flickr user Mark Griffith)

"Last week, my family and I visited Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT, which is an amazing 1,400 acre working farm, National Historic Landmark, and nonprofit environmental education center.

It's a truly beautiful place where we got to get really hands-on with the animals. Being there revived a conversation we'd been having for some time. Animals are truly spectacular and thoroughly worthy of our respect. It's always such a pleasure to spend time watching them and interacting with them. But no matter how much I enjoy their company, I tend to.... eat them from time to time.

There are plenty of arguments for vegetarianism, but I'm one of the millions of people who choose to eat meat. At the same time, it's supremely important to me to know that the meat I consume doesn't cause the suffering of any sentient beings. Clearly, in typical factory farming, the well-being of the animals isn't always the highest priority. Like many others, I don't want to be a party to the mistreatment of animals just so I can enjoy a meal.

So the question becomes, how do I continue to consume meat in a way that doesn't cause suffering? Wouldn't it be great if there were an organization that monitored the well-being of farm animals to ensure that they are treated well?

Lo and Behold! Shelburne Farms is a member of Certified Humane, which is an extraordinary “consumer certification and labeling program.” Certified Humane requires farmers to produce their products––meat, eggs, dairy––with the welfare of the animals in mind. Check this out from their website:

"When you see the Certified Humane Raised & Handled label it means that an egg, dairy, meat or poultry product has been produced with the welfare of the farm animal in mind. Food products that carry the label are certified to have come from facilities that meet precise, objective standards for farm animal treatment.

QUALITY STANDARDS

A team of veterinarians and animal scientists developed the Animal Care Standards to ensure that producers and processors keep animals in conditions that have met high standards of animal care:
• Allow animals to engage in their natural behaviors
• Raising animals with sufficient space, shelter and gentle handling to limit stress
• Making sure they have ample fresh water and a healthy diet without added antibiotics or hormones"

Dozens of farms are Certified Humane, and according to the organization, “three out of four American consumers (75%) will choose food products certified as protecting animal care over those that are not.”

As programs like this grow, more animals will be able to live their lives in natural settings and will be allowed to engage in their natural behaviors, free from stress and pain. As long as people (including myself) do continue to eat meat, it makes me very happy to know there's an organization out there whose efforts will help us to move forward sustainably and ethically. Go Shelburne Farms, and Go Certified Humane!!!