Freedom Foods Program Kaleena Westaby AnS 495 April 2 nd, 2010

What is the Freedom Foods Program? Founded in 1994 Founded in 1994 West Southwater, Sussex, England West Southwater, Sussex, England Part of the RSPCA Part of the RSPCA –Serving England and Wales Founded by RSPCA members Founded by RSPCA members –Mike Sharpe, 1 st chief executive –Leigh Grant, current chief executive ₤2,100,000 income in 2008 ₤2,100,000 income in 2008

What is the Freedom Food Program? Way to monitor welfare of production animals from birth to death Way to monitor welfare of production animals from birth to death Voluntary program Voluntary program –Producers, Haulers, Processors, Slaughterhouses

What is the Freedom Foods Program? Premium price for product Premium price for product –Additional ₤1 to 50% more for chicken Farms inspected annually Farms inspected annually –May be additional random visit Similar to U.S. organic inspection Similar to U.S. organic inspection –On-farm evaluation –Viewing of all relevant farm records 2,500 farms and retailers 2,500 farms and retailers

Focus of regulations Focus on environment Focus on environment –Adequate space –Food & water –Psychological aspects  Stimulation  Socialization Humane slaughter Humane slaughter Source:

How to become certified Submit application Submit application Visit from assesor Visit from assesor Extensive walk-through Extensive walk-through Go through all records Go through all records Discuss non-compliance issues Discuss non-compliance issues Certification valid for 12 months Certification valid for 12 months

Dairy Regulations Environmental Environmental –Access to pasture –Calves not tethered and able to socialize Reproductive Reproductive –No embryo transfer/flushing –No genetically modified/cloned animals Health Health –Management procedures prior to 2 months

Swine Regulations Health Health –No weaning prior to 28 days –One ear notch Environmental Environmental –>75% solid flooring –Farrowing crates no more than 5 days prior Transport Transport –No more than 8 hours away –20% decline/incline on loading ramps

Poultry Regulations Health Health –No antibiotics in feed –No feeding of animal protein Environmental Environmental –Reduce lighting over minimum of 15 minutes –Providing of “environmental enrichment” Slaughter Slaughter –Within 4 hours of arrival

Criticisms Some criticism from animal agriculture Some criticism from animal agriculture Pay royalty back to RSPCA Pay royalty back to RSPCA –0.3% of wholesale value Majority of critics from animal rights Majority of critics from animal rights –Regulations too lenient –Advocating meat-eating –Promoting suffering of animals

Conclusion Voluntary producer program Voluntary producer program – way to market value-added product Not promoting vegetarianism Not promoting vegetarianism Providing peace of mind to consumers Providing peace of mind to consumers

References Charity Commission “Freedom Food Limited.” Accessed 1 Apr Charity Commission “Freedom Food Limited.” Accessed 1 Apr commission.gov.uk/SHOWCHARITY/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx ?RegisteredCharityNumber= &SubsidiaryNumber=0 commission.gov.uk/SHOWCHARITY/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx ?RegisteredCharityNumber= &SubsidiaryNumber=0 Davies, Jack Farmers Guardian. “Is the charity moving away from its core principles?” Accessed 31 Mar charity-moving-away-from-its-core-principles?/16707.article. Davies, Jack Farmers Guardian. “Is the charity moving away from its core principles?” Accessed 31 Mar charity-moving-away-from-its-core-principles?/16707.article. charity-moving-away-from-its-core-principles?/16707.articlehttp:// charity-moving-away-from-its-core-principles?/16707.article Douglass, A The freedom food program in the UK and the free farmed program in the US. Symposiums on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Regarding Animal Behavior, Care, and Well-Being. Presented July 27, 2001, International Animal Agriculture and Food Science Conference. Douglass, A The freedom food program in the UK and the free farmed program in the US. Symposiums on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Regarding Animal Behavior, Care, and Well-Being. Presented July 27, 2001, International Animal Agriculture and Food Science Conference. Elam, Mike IVU. “Animal Welfare Society in Meat Marketing Scheme.” Accessed 31 Mar Elam, Mike IVU. “Animal Welfare Society in Meat Marketing Scheme.” Accessed 31 Mar Focus “Freedom Food News.” Accessed 30 Mar Focus “Freedom Food News.” Accessed 30 Mar Green, David “Turning Dreams into Reality.” Accessed 1 Apr Green, David “Turning Dreams into Reality.” Accessed 1 Apr Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals “Freedom Food.” Accessed 30 Mar Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals “Freedom Food.” Accessed 30 Mar United Kingdom GuideStar “Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.”Accessed 30 Mar United Kingdom GuideStar “Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.”Accessed 30 Mar

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