Consumers Name HSUS Most Credible Source of Farm-Animal Care Information

By Dani Friedland on 10/6/2010 CHICAGO — Consumers rate the Humane Society of the United States as the most credible source for information about farm animal care. That finding, along with many others, was announced Wednesday morning here at the Food System Summit, as the Center for Food Integrity’s CEO Charlie Arnot unveiled the results of an annual survey on consumer trust in the food system. In addition to the 15.88 percent of respondents who think HSUS is the

“Contrary to popular opinion, there does not appear to be any influence of tail docking on cleanliness of udders or legs, nor does there appear to be a relationship between tail docking and milk quality.”

— University of Wisconsin Agriculture & Extension Service Center

“Tail docking of dairy calves is not recommended. A thorough review of the scientific literature does not support anecdotal reports of the benefits of tail docking.”

“…opposes routine tail docking of cattle. Current scientific literature indicates that routine tail docking provides no benefit to the animal, and that tail docking can lead to distress during fly seasons.”

“Research has confirmed what common sense already knew — animals built to move must move.” — Dr. Bernard Rollin Department of Animal Science

“Individual housing must allow the calf to turn around comfortably and to assume normal postures.”

“…recommends that the entire veal industry convert to the group housing methodology.”

“Veal crates are inhumane and archaic…[and] do nothing more than subject a calf to stress, fear, physical harm and pain.”

—Randy Strauss, Strauss Veal CEO

“How animals are treated and mistreated before they get to our tables… is appalling and beneath our humanity.”

“There is no justification, economic or otherwise, for the abusive practice of confining animals in spaces barely larger than the volume of their bodies. Animals with more space are healthier, and they are no less productive.

Industrial confinement is cruel and senseless and will turn out to be, we hope, a relatively short-lived anomaly in modern farming.”

—Editorial, July 2010

“We recognize that animal welfare is an issue that resonates with customers, and we’re taking this step to address their concerns.”

“We have made a commitment to be more environmentally and socially

responsible. We are working with our partners at The Humane Society of the

United States…to take the steps needed to do this.”

“Harris Teeter is committed to ensuring both humane treatment and living conditions for animals.”

“Animal welfare has been one of Unilever’s core sustainable

agriculture indicators since 2005.”

“Animal welfare is one of Safeway’s core corporate responsibility values. We believe it’s the right thing for our

company and our customers. And we’ve found HSUS to be a great partner in our

journey to improve conditions for animals in our supply chain.”

“Preventing…abuse is our corporate responsibility and quite simply, the right thing to do.”