United Egg Producers form alliance with American Humane Association

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — United Egg Producers, a trade association representing most U.S. egg farmers and companies, has developed a new working relationship with the Denver-based American Humane Association, the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals.

Under terms of the agreement between the two organizations, United Egg Producers will recognize American Humane Certified animal welfare audits as also meeting United Egg Producers Certified standards if those egg producers also meet some additional criteria.

Guidelines

The American Humane Certified program — which is the nation’s first and original animal-welfare label attesting to the humane treatment of animals involved in food production — establishes guidelines for the production of eggs from hens in cage-free and free-range farm systems, while the United Egg Producers Certified program provides science-based guidelines for the production of eggs from hens either in modern cage production housing systems or cage-free farm systems.

Under terms of the agreement, an egg farmer who passes the American Humane Certified audit, pays the fees and is a member in good standing with the United Egg Producers Certified Program and meets the United Egg Producers guidelines on 100 percent of their egg production, can then use the United Egg Producers Certified logo and market those eggs as United Egg Producers Certified in addition to marketing them as American Humane Certified and using the American Humane Certified logo.

Advantage

The advantage to an egg farmer is that they would not have to undergo and pay for a second audit of their farm, as United Egg Producers will accept the American Humane Certified animal welfare audit.