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United States Department of Agriculture: building bridges through innovative animal well-being initiatives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

RD Reynnells
RD Reynnells*
Affiliation:
United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, Plant and Animal Systems, 800 9th Street, SW, Room 3130 Waterfront Centre, Washington, DC 20250-2220, USA
*
rreynnells@csrees.usda.gov
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Abstract

Animal well-being issues are addressed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through a variety of agencies and in various formats. Most farmers are good stewards of their animals and will raise them according to societal demands as supported by market choices. Management standards that are perceived to improve upon current practices are being demanded of farmers by buyers of animal products, including corporate restaurant chains and groceries. Professional organisations, USDA, and university representatives, help to address well-being issues and help to create and evaluate standards. The USDA provides leadership in several cooperative programs involving activists and industry, coordinates certification programs, and provides liaisons to multi-state university research committees. A USDA Animal Well-Being Work Group facilitates communications among agency personnel. The USDA developed the Animal Welfare Issues Compendium, a national animal well-being symposium, and cooperates with industry, activists and universities on projects. The USDA provides grant funds for projects that are encouraged to include a component on animal well-being. Special grant funds from Congress have resulted in educational and research projects that complement existing USDA national research and educational initiatives. Regulatory commitments by USDA include the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.

Keywords

animal welfarecooperationethicshumaneregulationsresearch
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 13 , Issue S1: Science in the Service of Animal Welfare: Proceedings of the UFAW International Symposium, Edinburgh, 2-4 April 2003 , February 2004 , pp. S175 - S180
Copyright
© 2004 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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