Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 7/22/10

The Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) said its animal welfare program has been approved by the American Humane Association’s (AHA) scientific advisory committee.

“In reviewing the FASS standards, we see a movement toward baseline standards that will be universally accepted by other animal science and welfare groups, as well as producers,” said Tim Amlaw, vice president of American Humane’s farm animal welfare program, in a news release. “Our program takes a science-based approach coupled with the highest ethical standards in setting humane standards for farm animals.”

The FASS Ag Guide, published in January 2010, was written by scientists, engineers and veterinarians who are experts in farm animal care. The document was peer reviewed and revised before publication.
Having an independent group of scientists associated with American Humane review and approve the 'Ag Guide’ gives added credence to the document, according to FASS co-chairs of the writing committee, Janice Swanson and John McGlone.

FASS is comprised of the American Dairy Science Association, the American Society of Animal Science and the Poultry Science Association, and represents more than 10,000 scientists spanning academia, government and industry.

AHA’s animal welfare program, according to the news release, is the first of its kind in the United States dedicated to the humane treatment of farm animals, and the group said it has the country’s fastest-growing independent animal welfare program.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.