At last year’s World Dairy Expo we heard about the announcement of the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative. This morning they released the official principles and guidelines. The facilitator for the Initiative is Charlie Arnot. He described the process that got us to this point and says that now it’s time for the Initiative to move to the next step. He used a chart that he calls the “Continuous Improvement Cycle” to show each of them. Next in the cycle after today for example is “Apply Principles & Guidelines to on-farm well-being programs.”
The National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative is a producer-led Coalition that includes members from every sector of the dairy industry. On October 2, 2008 at World Dairy Expo, the Coalition introduced the broad Principles and Guidelines — a uniform umbrella of assurance that the industry is meeting its ethical obligation for dairy animal well-being. Our goal is to protect consumer trust and confidence in the dairy industry by demonstrating dairy producers’ commitment to animal well-being.
Also on the program today was Pennsylvania dairy producer Logan Bower. He talked about how they’re already beginning to use the Initiative’s principles and guidelines in their state. Here’s an example of some talking points provided to producers by the Initiative.
Dairy Producer Talking Points
Developed by the National Dairy Checkoff
* As a dairy farmer, caring for my animals is my No. 1 priority so that I can provide the public with safe and wholesome dairy products. I work hard every day ensuring the comfort and safety of my animals and providing them a nutritious diet.
* Farmers in my community oppose/are outraged by the inhumane treatment of animals, whether on or off the farm. Farmers support government investigations into any allegations of animal abuse, including those that occur at meat processing facilities.
* Dairy farmers support government regulations that prohibit non-ambulatory, or “downer,” cattle from entering the food supply.
You can listen to the presentation with Charlie and Logan here: wdx-08-well-being.mp3