NMPF Statement on Humane Society Undercover Video of Livestock Markets
In response to the HSUS release on May 7, 2008 of another undercover video regarding the treatment of livestock, NMPF issued this statement.
NMPF Asks USDA to End Any Use of Downer Cattle in Human Food Supply
On April 23, 2008, NMPF, the American Meat Institute, and the National Meat Association released a joint statement requesting that USDA keep all nonambulatory, or downer, cattle out of the human food supply.
For the full press release, click here.
A copy of the citizens petition can be found here.
NMPF Statement on the Hallmark/Westland Incident
In response to the incident of animal abuse at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Co. in Chino, CA in early 2008, NMPF joined the Center for Food Integrity and other supporting organizations in issuing a call for everyone involved in animal agriculture to not tolerate cases of animal abuse.
The full statement is available here.
Testimony to House of Representatives
Dr. Karen Jordan of Siler City, North Carolina, who is vice chairperson of the NMPF Animal Health committee, told the House of Representatives that “what’s good for cows is good for our business,” and urged Agriculture Committee members not to include specific animal welfare regulations in the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill.
Read the full testimony from Dr. Jordan.
Caring for Dairy Animals Guide
Dairy producers have always been committed to providing the utmost care for their animals. Producers understand the importance of providing proper care and nutrition to their animals and their number one priority is to provide exceptional care for their animals as healthy, well-cared for animals results in a more profitable operation.
Caring for Dairy Animals Technical Reference Guide
In the spring of 2002, NMPF collaborated with the Milk and Beef Dairy Quality Assurance Center to develop animal care guidelines to serve as a resource to producers. The manual, titled Caring for Dairy Animals Technical Reference Guide and On-The- Dairy Self-Evaluation Guide, is comprehensive resource of best management practices with referenced material on animal care and welfare. The manual covers all aspects of animal care and is sectioned by quality control points.
The first step in utilizing the guidelines is to familiarize yourself with the contents of them. After reading through the guidelines, then any changes to your operation that you deem necessary should be made. The next step is to verify that you follow the guidelines through a self-audit. A checklist is included at the beginning of the Caring for Dairy Animals Technical Reference Guide that serves as a self-audit form. These lists of BMPs are not required, but they are listed to initiate dialogue and consultation with your management team.
After completing the self-audit, the final step is to have your practices verified by a third-party auditing group. The DQA Center has a Five-Star Dairy Quality Assurance Program that is an audit, which encompasses not only animal welfare, but milk quality and safety, environmental stewardship, and pathogen management. The Food Marketing Institute and the National Council of Chain Restaurants have also commissioned a company called SES, Inc. to develop audits for the various livestock species. Their program is called the Animal Welfare Audit Program and there is a specific dairy audit form developed. Both programs are voluntary programs.
To order a copy of the Caring for Dairy Animals Technical Reference Guide, available through the Dairy Quality Assurance Center website. You may also order by phone by calling 1-800-55-DAIRY. The cost for this manual is $15.00 for NMPF members and $25.00 for non-members.
