http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org Always ask, "Is Your Food Animal Welfare Approved?" Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:40:38 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Concerns about food safety, the environment and farm animal welfare are prompting increasing numbers of consumers to seek out ethically produced food, including meat, dairy and eggs from humanely raised animals, even if it means paying more. A new survey from San Francisco-based Context Marketing shows that almost 70 percent ... http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/03/09/if-its-not-ethical-and-credible-consumers-dont-want-it-new-study-finds/ An article in the Washington Post on March 1 caught my attention. Entitled, “Manure becomes pollutant as its volume grows unmanageable,” it focused on a topic that really gets up my nose. The article is one of an increasing number of investigative pieces which have highlighted the massive pollution problems caused ... http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/03/05/industrialized-farming-leaves-behind-more-than-a-bad-smell/ After Monsanto did an end run around the law by convincing regulators to approve its genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa without the mandatory environmental review, consumer groups hauled them to court and won a ban on the GE seed until the review was completed. Now the USDA has ruled that the ... http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/03/02/protect-organics-act-now-and-don%e2%80%99t-let-monsanto-have-its-way-again/ Feral hogs are becoming a real problem in many states, causing millions of dollars of damage to crops and pasture across the U.S. each year. They can also transmit serious diseases to farm animals – and potentially humans. In North Carolina, Animal Welfare Approved staff members are working closely with ... http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/03/01/awa-helps-to-find-solutions-to-feral-hogs-in-north-carolina/ "How much longer will we continue to test our luck with weak enforcement of federal food safety regulations?" asked Senator Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat and then Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, in February 2008. Evidently, at least two more years because in that time there’s been no movement to ... http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/17/two-year-anniversary-of-historic-meat-recall-is-marked-by-new-meat-recall-of-5-million-lbs/ On President's Day, the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) concluded its cross country rally in Washington, D.C. and Animal Welfare Approved’s (AWA) legislative partner, Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), attended in support.  NBFA members have spent the past month mobilizing support for the distribution of payments owed to black farmers as ... http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/17/national-black-farmers-association-continues-fight-for-justice/ Some of you will hopefully have read my previous blogs on the benefits of grassfed beef. In particular, the fact that grassfed beef is not only good for animal welfare and the environment, but that it is also better for our health. While scientists have now shown that cattle from feedlots ... http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/16/from-beef-to-eggs-pasture-based-farming-is-the-healthier-choice/ I was pleased to see Katie Couric and  CBS News' efforts to raise awareness of the human health implications of the excessive overuse of antibiotics in intensive animal agriculture. However, the limitations of a five-minute news piece make it difficult to cover all of the nuances of this highly complex ... http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/12/responsible-use-of-antibiotics-in-agriculture/ Animal Welfare Approved seeking AWA pasture-based farm(s) to supply eggs in Washington, DC area.  If not currently certified, must be willing to pursue free certification. Immediate need.  Please contact Julie Munk at info@animalwelfareapproved.org or at 202.546.5292.  Please pass along.  Thanks. http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/06/awa-farms-needed-in-washington-dc-area/ Animal Welfare Approved ranchers in southeast US looking for Animal Welfare Approved/American Grassfed Association certified farms to supply calves for grassfed operations.  If not currently certified, must be willing to pursue free certification. Immediate need.  Please contact Julie Munk at info@animalwelfareapproved.org or at 202.546.5292.  Please pass along.  Thanks. http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/2010/02/06/seeking-farmers-in-se-to-supply-calves-for-grassfed-operation/