Animal Welfare Approved program to launch in Canada

NEWS HIGHLIGHT

Animal Welfare Approved program
to launch in Canada

Animal Welfare Approved, a program that promotes the well-being of animals and the sustainability of humane family farms, announced recently that it has approval from the Canadian government to begin certifying farms in Canada.

Animal Welfare Approved, a program that promotes the well-being of animals and the sustainability of humane family farms, announced recently that it has approval from the Canadian government to begin certifying farms in Canada.

Labels on Animal Welfare Approved products in Canada will read "This product originates from animals who are raised under the standards of the Animal Welfare Approved Program (TM)." The label will also provide the Animal Welfare Approved website address. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency considers certifying standards to be part of a label claim and independent third-party certifiers must provide the public access to its standards.

The standards for Animal Welfare Approved have been available on its website since the site was launched in early 2008 and the website address will be on Animal Welfare Approved product labels. "We are a very transparent organization," Director Andrew Gunther remarked.

"We believe in our standards. They are practical and science-based and people should know what we’re about up front."
Gunther says that Animal Welfare Approved expects to launch the Canadian program by the end of the year.

Farms interested in obtaining more information about applying for the Animal Welfare Approved seal can go to www.animalwelfareapproved.org , e-mail info@animalwelfareapproved.org, or call 202-546-5292.