Humane Group Cites Canadian Pork Firm

February 27, 2001

The American Humane Association (AHA) and Farm Animal Services (FAS) say that du Breton Natural Pork of Notre-Dame-du-Lac, Quebec, is the first pork producer to qualify for AHA's "free farmed" label. The label, unveiled this past fall, is the first-ever program that claims to certify that farm animals are raised in a humane manner.

A free farmed label is designed to assure consumers that the pork cuts they purchase from du Breton come from animals that were treated according to animal welfare standards developed by AHA. Du Breton is North America's largest producer of all-natural, antibiotic-free pork, with national U.S. distribution through Whole Foods Markets and other select grocers. The free farmed certification program is audited by the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

As part of the Free Farmed certification process, an independent FAS inspector inspected du Breton's farms and facilities as well as the company's procedures and documentation.

The certification is based on standards set by the AHA Scientific Committee which consists of animal scientists, veterinarians and animal welfare experts. The standards include detailed provisions stating that the animals must be raised in ways that reduce stress, and that they have adequate shelter, comfortable resting areas, sufficient space, proper facilities and the ability to express normal behavior.

AHA says Du Breton hogs, raised by small family farmers in Quebec and the Maritimes, live in "safe, spacious, carefully controlled environments and are handled by expert, compassionate stock-keepers." The pigs live on a thick layer of bedding that allows them to engage in foraging, and the animals are not permitted to live in isolation, except when in the care of a veterinarian.