June 22, 2010

US egg producer faces animal welfare charges

The Humane Society of the US (HSUS) has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission to stop a Jackson County egg producer from making what it claims are misleading statements about conditions at its farms.

HSUS lodged the complaint against Cortland-based Rose Acre Farms, contending it falsely claims it provides a "humane and friendly" environment for hens.

Rose Acre's K.Y. Hendrix denied the allegations and said the family-owned company follows and exceeds industry guidelines for animal welfare.

HSUS said an investigation at the company's three Iowa farms showed hens trapped in wires of cages; hens unable to reach food or water; hens with broken bones; and dead hens in cages with live hens, reports said.

"It's like anything else," Hendrix said. "You have a certain amount of mortality. We meet the standards that the breeder people are after. It's very minimal. As far as taking care of animals, it's why we go through third-party audits," he added.

Hendrix said the complaint is among the latest assaults of the Humane Society of America on animal agriculture.