MODESTO, Calif. -- Consumers have said they choose poultry products that are fresh, natural and safe for their families. Today, consumers are adding animal welfare to their list of priorities in choosing food.
California companies have joined many others across the United States in providing poultry products that meet these needs; the California Poultry Federation leaders want our members to maintain the highest poultry care standards possible and our members are meeting those goals.
The catalyst for this increased awareness of the welfare of our birds was certainly aroused by the recent Proposition 2 initiative that passed overwhelmingly in our state, placing many egg producers at risk of losing part of their businesses and/or possibly moving out of state. We don't agree with the outcome, but we now must live with its ramifications.
The poultry industry was the first California animal organization to submit an "Animal Care Policy" to the newly formed University of California Animal Welfare Council. We have asked the council to peruse our 25-page document and provide our "Poultry Care" committee with comments and/or recommendations. The CPF "Poultry Care Policy" took most of 2009 to write, edit and polish before our committee recommended its approval to our board last September. The document includes training and auditing procedures for broilers, broiler breeders, turkeys and turkey breeding operations. Specific recommendations are offered for broiler and turkey growout, hatchery operations, live haul catching and loading crews and live receiving, unloading and processing. Minor species like squab, ducks and game birds have modified their plans to include some of the larger industry guidelines.
This all-inclusive "Poultry Care" document has been accepted and approved by every poultry production and processing company in California and every one of our members has agreed to use our plan to maintain certified animal care standards. The CPF will continue offering both Quality Assurance and Animal Welfare programs and seminars as a way our members can update their plans and maintain high levels of training and certification.
The CPF will continue working with every member (large and small) as we provide poultry products that maintain the highest standards of care and food safety Californians tell us that they want and need.
This isn't only happening in California, but also in many other poultry states. The State Poultry Executive Association has put animal welfare as a top priority when we meet at various events throughout the year. We talk about what is working and what needs to be improved; and we discuss ways that we can help our members not only provide the highest care and standards in the world but also what we must do to let our consumers and local, state and national leaders know about our programs.
We know we must communicate better and often, and as executives it is our duty to come up with ways to do just that. When consumers know about the quality ways our companies maintain bird health and welfare, they are confident in purchasing our products. When our political leaders also understand our processes and successes, they are likely to promote what we do to their colleagues and constituents.
We have a daunting task ahead of us, but we all know -- associations and poultry producers alike -- that the bright future ahead of us will come from some hard work, diligence and high quality poultry care standards.
Bill Mattos is president of the California Poultry Federation with offices in Modesto, Calif.
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