Summer 2012 Animal Welfare Approved Newsletter

AWA Newsletter News in Brief
4
ARSENIC FEED BAN
Maryland has become the first state
to ban the use of arsenic in intensive
chicken production.
The new law, which comes into
effect on January 1, 2013, follows
an FDA study last year which found
traces of inorganic arsenic in the livers
of intensively raised chickens, where
arsenic is used to prevent coccidiosis.
Arsenic is a known carcinogen and is
linked to numerous other human health
concerns. AWA standards have never
permitted its use.
“We welcome this new law,”
says Tim Holmes, AWA Lead Auditor.
“Maryland is the seventh largest broiler
producing state and we hope other
states will now follow suit. However,
we are concerned that a loophole
may allow some poultry farmers to
use arsenic compounds in their birds’
drinking water.”
WHITE HOUSE HONORS FARMERS
Chad and Jodi Ray, of Ray Family
Farms in Louisburg, NC, were honored
by the White House in April as
“Champions of Change.”
The award is in recognition of the
Rays’ efforts to prove that corporate
environmental leadership makes
sense, both for business and for
local communities. Selling beef, pork,
poultry and vegetables from their
170-acre farm to local customers, the
Rays are also committed to on-farm
education, environmental stewardship,
and green energy.
“The AWA mission and brand
means a lot to people," explained
Chad. "I believe it is part of why we
were selected. It just proves that this
whole movement means something—
that the White House would take notice
of just one farm in North Carolina.”
COCHON 555 SUCCESS
Two AWA farms have supplied winning
hogs for the prestigious Cochon 555
competition—a 10-city culinary tour
where 50 renowned local chefs must
prepare a “snout-to-tail” menu using
only traditional pig breeds.
AWA-certified Palmetto Creek
Farms, FL, supplied a Hereford pig
to the winning chef at the Miami
competition, while Leaping Waters
Maryland's lawmakers have banned
the feeding of arsenic compounds
in intensive poultry systems.
Farm, VA, supplied a Red Wattle pig
which was used to win the Washington,
DC, competition. Cochon 555
culminates in a Grand Finale in Aspen,
CO, where the 10 winning chefs will
compete to become the "King/Queen
of Porc."
AWA FARM-TO-FARM SALES
AWA farmers can now sell breeding
or feeder stock, farm equipment or
supplies to other farmers using AWA’s
new online Farm-to-Farm Sales page.
Farmers can view current entries
and download the Farm-to-Farm
Advertisement Application Form at
www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org/
farmers/classifieds—or call
(800) 373-8806 for more information.
NEW AWA STAFF
AWA has recently appointed two new
staff members.
“We are delighted to welcome
Katie Baumer and Paul Servideo to
the team,” says Andrew Gunther,
AWA’s Program Director. “Katie joins
us as Communications Associate
and will guide our traditional and
social media communication activities,
ensuring that news from the program
and our farmers reaches the broadest
audience.
“Paul joins our Farmer and
Market Outreach team as Coordinator
for the Northeast region, taking over
for Brigid Sweeney, who recently
relocated to California. Paul will be
responsible for supporting new and
existing AWA farmers across the
region, as well as raising consumer
awareness about the wide-ranging
benefits of the AWA program.”
AWA EGGS HIT THE SPOT
AWA eggs are recommended as
the best choice for healthy, ethically
produced eggs, according to a review
by EthicalFood.com.
“In the absence of a local,
pasture-based farmer, you may have
to rely on labels when buying from a
grocery store,” advises EthicalFood.
com. “Animal Welfare Approved
is a comprehensive and rigorous
certification.”
Ensa
USDA LABEL APPROVAL
The USDA’s Food Safety and
Inspection Service has launched a
new online approval system for meat,
poultry, and egg product labels.
“The USDA is hoping this new
online system will streamline the
label approval process and allow
businesses to track their submissions,”
says Emily Lancaster, AWA’s Labeling
Coordinator. “Remember that AWA
can help you to design professional
food labels for your products and guide
you through the mandatory approval
process—all at no charge.”
For details of AWA’s
labeling service, visit www.
AnimalWelfareApproved.org/
farmers/labeling or contact Emily
Lancaster at (202) 618-4497.
HUMANE COYOTE CONTROL
AWA-certified Barinaga Ranch in Marin
Country, CA, was featured in the San
Francisco Chronicle in an article about
the increasing use of guardian dogs.
Marcia Barinaga of Barinaga
Ranch relies on Great Pyrenees
guardian dogs—rather than traps,
poison, or bullets—to protect her flock
of dairy sheep from coyotes. “I see
coyotes on the ranch all the time,” she
says. “But we have lost no sheep at all
to predators.”
PHOTO CORRECTION
The photograph of sheep on the back
cover of the Spring AWA Newsletter
was taken at Weirauch Farm and
Creamery in Petaluma, CA, and not
Border Springs Farm, as indicated.
We apologize for the error.