Source: NATIONAL ASSOC. OF EGG FARMERS, 8/21/14

Last evening, August 21, the National Association of Egg Farmers fired off a statement to Nestle' the Swiss company, whose U.S. brands include Edy’s, Haagen-Dazs, Stouffer’s, Hot Pockets and DiGiorno, after it announced that it had signed an animal welfare agreement with the international advocacy group, World Animal Protection. Farm Policy picked up on NAEF's statement in this morning's news.

Nestle is not the first company to set animal welfare standards for its suppliers, but it is the first company to form an international partnership with an animal rights advocacy organization, World Animal Protection.  The advocacy organization will play an ongoing role in verifying compliance with the standards. An independent auditor, SGS, will inspect farms to ensure that the standards are being met, and World Animal Protection will accompany the inspectors on some of the visits to ensure that the audits are being done properly.



Nestlé stated it recognized the internationally accepted “Five Freedoms” as applied to animals:

1. Freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition
2. Freedom from fear and distress
3. Freedom from physical and thermal discomfort
4. Freedom from pain, injury and disease
5. Freedom to express normal patterns of
behavior.

In accomplishing this, Nestle suppliers will no longer use conventional cages for layers or gestation stalls for raising pigs.

The National Association of Egg Farmers expressed disappointment in the partnership without the benefit of farmers' input in defending the science behind their production practices.  NAEF also asserted that conventional cages address these "Five Freedoms" as follows:
1. Freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor.
2. Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
3. Freedom from physical and thermal discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
4. Freedom from pain, injury and disease by prevention and rapid diagnosis and treatment.
5. Freedom to express normal patters of behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and the company of the animal's own kind.

NAEF stated that Nestle has effectively invited the "fox into the chicken coop" that will do the opposite of the stated purpose to provide better welfare for the animals among its 7,300 suppliers.  Before other companies make the same mistake of Nestle, NAEF urged that farmers must have a seat at the table in the decision making process.