US PAACO certifies American Humane Certified audit

The Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO), Inc. in Iowa, US has granted certification to the welfare audit division of the American Humane Certified Standards Checklist for cage-free laying hens.

The American Humane Certified audit is the third animal welfare programme audit to be certified by PAACO. It is used by egg producers who want to verify that their cage-free production practices comply with stringent science-based animal welfare guidelines established by the American Humane Certified programme, the first farm animal welfare programme in the US.

"Because of increasing consumer interest in how their food is produced, certification programmes provide validation of production and welfare practices at the farm level," said PAACO chairman Dr David R. Hermes. "There is also an increasing need for trained, knowledgeable auditors who can fairly and accurately assess welfare practices," he added.

To certify the American Humane Certified programme, an independent review panel comprised of industry and welfare experts evaluated welfare criteria and standards for layers from the placement of pullets to depopulation of hens and found that they passed all of PAACO's minimum requirements.

PAACO, an organisation of five animal industry organisations with extensive expertise on best management practices and current science in animal agriculture, works to promote the humane treatment of animals through education and certification of animal audits, training and auditors.