The Values and Principles of Certified Humane®
How we improve the cruel realities of the factory farm industry
The mission of the Certified Humane® program is to counter the cruel realities of the factory farm industry in order to improve the lives of farm animals across the world.
We do that with three tools:
- The most up-to-date and peer-reviewed animal welfare science
- Transparent and comprehensive standards that are tailored to each species
- A community of scientists, farmers, ranchers, retailers and shoppers who all want farm animals treated humanely.
•••
Both compassion and animal welfare science guide how we treat farm animals.
Farm animals are creatures with natural instincts and behavioral preferences. They are sentient beings who can experience negative emotions such as pain and frustration if they are not provided with a supportive living environment and handled respectfully.
Our Farm Animal Standards were written by renowned animal welfare scientists and veterinarians who have dedicated their careers to understanding farm animals and improving their welfare. They are followed by farmers and ranchers who accept their responsibility to manage the animals with compassion.
The Certified Humane® Farm Animal Standards are science-backed best practices that outline what is needed for each species to thrive.
In short, our standards allow farm animals to be cared for in the ways that best suit their nature.
•••
Every species of farm animal has different needs.
Our Farm Animal Standards establish unique practices appropriate for each. However, every standard follows our Key Care Principles, which include:
- Access to Water and Nourishing Food
- Freedom from Confinement
- Encouragement of Natural Instincts and Behaviors
- Care from Trained and Compassionate Handlers
- Compassionate End of Life Practices
- Compliance Transparency
It is in humanity’s best interest to provide a higher quality of life to farm animals. It is also the right thing to do.
Our vision is for all farm animals worldwide to live in a comfortable, healthy environment that suits their natural instincts and behaviors.
The Certified Humane® program is firmly planted in reality. To make meaningful progress in improving the lives of farm animals, we must grapple with daunting realities regarding our global dependance on animals for food.
•••
Reality #1: Every year, 86 billion farm animals 1 are killed worldwide.
Humanity depends on products from animals like chickens, cattle, and pigs to survive and thrive. Billions of animals are bred and raised solely for that purpose.
Unfortunately, most farm animals currently suffer under abysmal treatment and inhumane conditions throughout their lives as well as when they are killed. However, this does not have to be the case. Thanks to animal welfare scientists, we know how to mitigate the physical and mental suffering of farm animals, even at the end of their lives.
Certified Humane® is one of the few programs that sets high and reliable standards for compassionate end-of-life practices for every kind of farm animal and in all circumstances. To us, this is a responsible and ethical consideration that cannot be ignored.
•••
Reality #2: Animal consumption habits won’t change fast enough to save tomorrow’s farm animals.
Despite the best efforts of animal rights activists, global meat and egg production is rapidly increasing 2 to match the demands of our growing population. Even in the last few decades, the percentage of people who avoid meat in their diet has not drastically changed 3.
Further, even if 100% of humans decided to stop consuming animal products, billions of farm animals in the food supply chain would suddenly serve no purpose. Millions of farmers and ranchers would suddenly have no livelihood.
Certified Humane® does not take a stance on what people should purchase or eat. Instead, we provide a practical path for shoppers to make choices and support the elimination of cruel factory farming practices. We seek to reform abusive production practices that currently dominate the industry.
•••
Reality #3: Treating farm animals like companion animals is not the answer.
Over the centuries, farm animals have been domesticated through selective breeding. Most are comfortable receiving protective and supportive care and food from humans if they are handled in accordance with their basic nature.
However, to treat farm animals like companions is to misunderstand and ignore their natural instincts. Chickens, for example, can learn to accept humans into their social hierarchy. However, chickens perceive themselves as prey and behave like it. Farm animals don’t always want (or need) the domestic comforts we offer our pets.
That’s why the Certified Humane® program relies on the expertise of animal welfare scientists to help us define our Farm Animal Standards. Our goal is to ensure farm animals live supported, healthy lives. Our standards provide them space to move, eat, drink, exercise or rest where and when they choose. They ensure the animals aren’t isolated, unless required for proper veterinarian care. Certified Humane® takes into account an animal’s natural behaviors and emotional well-being as well as its physical health.
This is a significant improvement over a life in the wild, where the options are survival of the fittest or a painful death in the jaws of a predator.
Farm animals deserve compassion, dignity, and respect. We believe humans can provide them with good lives, even on a large-scale farm or ranch.
We base our mission first on the findings of animal welfare researchers, who seek to understand their instincts and behaviors. Second, our inspectors — who are also animal scientists and veterinarians themselves — observe farm animals living under our standards to ensure they are in good health and thriving.
•••
Reality #4: Farm animals need relief right now.
Most farm animals across the world suffer daily under inhumane care within the factory farming industry despite decades of advocacy. Even non-meat eaters should appreciate the need for immediate reform.
Certified Humane® is a science-based program administered by a nonprofit organization. Our mission advances when a farm or ranch voluntarily commits to raising the quality of life for all animals in their care.
Every new producer that is granted the Certified Humane® Raised and Handled seal means more farm animals are living under our science-based standards.
Almost 500 million animals a year in 24 countries are raised under the Certified Humane® Farm Animal Standards. While we’re far from reaching every farm animal, we’re encouraged by our progress over the last 20+ years. The Certified Humane® program is committed to exponential growth over the next two decades and beyond.
Our mission also relies on shoppers who demand more compassionate farming practices through their advocacy and spending habits. Our responsibility to you is to ensure that when you buy a Certified Humane® product, you trust that our Farm Animal Standards have been followed. You trust that our auditors are continually and rigorously inspecting the places where farm animals live and verifying how they’re treated and cared for.
We also recognize that most shoppers aren’t aware of every hard reality that goes into raising animals for food. Over the next several months, we will pull back the curtain to expose those realities and how the Certified Humane® program continues to set the standards of care for farm animals.
Our organization was created because our founder was appalled when she first saw the abysmal conditions of hens, pigs, and veal calves in the factory farm industry. That is why we continue to trust that informed shoppers will make better decisions in the grocery aisle on behalf of farm animals in our food supply chain.
•••
Reality #5: Raising farm animals using responsible standards improves the environment
We often hear the argument that raising animals for food contributes to climate change. We agree that many factory farm practices are harmful to the earth’s environment, exacerbating our climate crisis.
However, the Certified Humane® program is complementary to regenerative and sustainable agriculture practices, which combat the climate crisis 4. Intentionally incorporating animals into a pasture system can enrich the soils, promote plant growth, and increase carbon sequestration. Done correctly, grazing management restores damaged pastures back to life.
Our focus is on making sure farm animals are not overcrowded. We require them to have access to the right grasses for their species and for the region they live in. When grazing animals eat plants at the right stage of their growth cycle, the animals get the maximum nutrient benefit to grow and produce efficiently and the soil holds onto carbon naturally.
Our Farm Animal Standards require farmers and ranchers to use grazing management for the benefit of the animals. It just so happens that the healthy care of farm animals goes hand in hand with healthy plants, healthy soil, and a healthier environment.
That’s why Certified Humane® farmers and ranchers often define and publicize structured regenerative systems for their programs or seek recognition from an organization like the Regenerative Organic Alliance.
To read the views of prominent scientists on this topic, check out our article on Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture.
•••
Ask us your questions!
Over the next several months, we’ll dive deeper into more topics that explore how farm animals are treated — and how the Certified Humane® program is seeking to improve their lives.
What questions do you have about how farm animals are cared for? Email us your questions or connect with us on social media!
Scroll to the bottom of this page for a link to the social media platform of your choice.
•••
References
1 Based on the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ total count of “producing animals” killed worldwide in 2022, which includes 75 billion chickens, 1.5 billion pigs, 504 million goats, 637 million sheep, and 300 million cattle. This number does not include any fish.
2 Since 2000, world production of meat has increased from 232 million metric tons to 360 million metric tons of meat, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The only year meat production decreased from the year before was in 2019.
3 Not many countries track the dietary choices of their population. However, YouGov, which surveys the dietary choices of people in the United Kingdom every six months, has found the percentage of meat eaters (73%) remains relatively unchanged since 2019. In the United States, a 2018 survey of dietary preferences by Gallup showed very little change in those who claimed to be vegetarian or vegan (5% and 3%, respectively) as compared to surveys in 1999 and 2012.
4 For more information, please see the Regenerative Organic Alliance’s explanation of how regenerative agriculture works.
The Values and Principles of Certified Humane®
How we improve the cruel realities of the factory farm industry
The mission of the Certified Humane® program is to counter the cruel realities of the factory farm industry in order to improve the lives of farm animals across the world.
We do that with three tools:
•••
Both compassion and animal welfare science guide how we treat farm animals.
Farm animals are creatures with natural instincts and behavioral preferences. They are sentient beings who can experience negative emotions such as pain and frustration if they are not provided with a supportive living environment and handled respectfully.
Our Farm Animal Standards were written by renowned animal welfare scientists and veterinarians who have dedicated their careers to understanding farm animals and improving their welfare. They are followed by farmers and ranchers who accept their responsibility to manage the animals with compassion.
The Certified Humane® Farm Animal Standards are science-backed best practices that outline what is needed for each species to thrive.
In short, our standards allow farm animals to be cared for in the ways that best suit their nature.
•••
Every species of farm animal has different needs.
Our Farm Animal Standards establish unique practices appropriate for each. However, every standard follows our Key Care Principles, which include:
It is in humanity’s best interest to provide a higher quality of life to farm animals. It is also the right thing to do.
Our vision is for all farm animals worldwide to live in a comfortable, healthy environment that suits their natural instincts and behaviors.
The Certified Humane® program is firmly planted in reality. To make meaningful progress in improving the lives of farm animals, we must grapple with daunting realities regarding our global dependance on animals for food.
•••
Reality #1: Every year, 86 billion farm animals 1 are killed worldwide.
Humanity depends on products from animals like chickens, cattle, and pigs to survive and thrive. Billions of animals are bred and raised solely for that purpose.
Unfortunately, most farm animals currently suffer under abysmal treatment and inhumane conditions throughout their lives as well as when they are killed. However, this does not have to be the case. Thanks to animal welfare scientists, we know how to mitigate the physical and mental suffering of farm animals, even at the end of their lives.
Certified Humane® is one of the few programs that sets high and reliable standards for compassionate end-of-life practices for every kind of farm animal and in all circumstances. To us, this is a responsible and ethical consideration that cannot be ignored.
•••
Reality #2: Animal consumption habits won’t change fast enough to save tomorrow’s farm animals.
Despite the best efforts of animal rights activists, global meat and egg production is rapidly increasing 2 to match the demands of our growing population. Even in the last few decades, the percentage of people who avoid meat in their diet has not drastically changed 3.
Further, even if 100% of humans decided to stop consuming animal products, billions of farm animals in the food supply chain would suddenly serve no purpose. Millions of farmers and ranchers would suddenly have no livelihood.
Certified Humane® does not take a stance on what people should purchase or eat. Instead, we provide a practical path for shoppers to make choices and support the elimination of cruel factory farming practices. We seek to reform abusive production practices that currently dominate the industry.
•••
Reality #3: Treating farm animals like companion animals is not the answer.
Over the centuries, farm animals have been domesticated through selective breeding. Most are comfortable receiving protective and supportive care and food from humans if they are handled in accordance with their basic nature.
However, to treat farm animals like companions is to misunderstand and ignore their natural instincts. Chickens, for example, can learn to accept humans into their social hierarchy. However, chickens perceive themselves as prey and behave like it. Farm animals don’t always want (or need) the domestic comforts we offer our pets.
That’s why the Certified Humane® program relies on the expertise of animal welfare scientists to help us define our Farm Animal Standards. Our goal is to ensure farm animals live supported, healthy lives. Our standards provide them space to move, eat, drink, exercise or rest where and when they choose. They ensure the animals aren’t isolated, unless required for proper veterinarian care. Certified Humane® takes into account an animal’s natural behaviors and emotional well-being as well as its physical health.
This is a significant improvement over a life in the wild, where the options are survival of the fittest or a painful death in the jaws of a predator.
Farm animals deserve compassion, dignity, and respect. We believe humans can provide them with good lives, even on a large-scale farm or ranch.
We base our mission first on the findings of animal welfare researchers, who seek to understand their instincts and behaviors. Second, our inspectors — who are also animal scientists and veterinarians themselves — observe farm animals living under our standards to ensure they are in good health and thriving.
•••
Reality #4: Farm animals need relief right now.
Most farm animals across the world suffer daily under inhumane care within the factory farming industry despite decades of advocacy. Even non-meat eaters should appreciate the need for immediate reform.
Certified Humane® is a science-based program administered by a nonprofit organization. Our mission advances when a farm or ranch voluntarily commits to raising the quality of life for all animals in their care.
Every new producer that is granted the Certified Humane® Raised and Handled seal means more farm animals are living under our science-based standards.
Almost 500 million animals a year in 24 countries are raised under the Certified Humane® Farm Animal Standards. While we’re far from reaching every farm animal, we’re encouraged by our progress over the last 20+ years. The Certified Humane® program is committed to exponential growth over the next two decades and beyond.
Our mission also relies on shoppers who demand more compassionate farming practices through their advocacy and spending habits. Our responsibility to you is to ensure that when you buy a Certified Humane® product, you trust that our Farm Animal Standards have been followed. You trust that our auditors are continually and rigorously inspecting the places where farm animals live and verifying how they’re treated and cared for.
We also recognize that most shoppers aren’t aware of every hard reality that goes into raising animals for food. Over the next several months, we will pull back the curtain to expose those realities and how the Certified Humane® program continues to set the standards of care for farm animals.
Our organization was created because our founder was appalled when she first saw the abysmal conditions of hens, pigs, and veal calves in the factory farm industry. That is why we continue to trust that informed shoppers will make better decisions in the grocery aisle on behalf of farm animals in our food supply chain.
•••
Reality #5: Raising farm animals using responsible standards improves the environment
We often hear the argument that raising animals for food contributes to climate change. We agree that many factory farm practices are harmful to the earth’s environment, exacerbating our climate crisis.
However, the Certified Humane® program is complementary to regenerative and sustainable agriculture practices, which combat the climate crisis 4. Intentionally incorporating animals into a pasture system can enrich the soils, promote plant growth, and increase carbon sequestration. Done correctly, grazing management restores damaged pastures back to life.
Our focus is on making sure farm animals are not overcrowded. We require them to have access to the right grasses for their species and for the region they live in. When grazing animals eat plants at the right stage of their growth cycle, the animals get the maximum nutrient benefit to grow and produce efficiently and the soil holds onto carbon naturally.
Our Farm Animal Standards require farmers and ranchers to use grazing management for the benefit of the animals. It just so happens that the healthy care of farm animals goes hand in hand with healthy plants, healthy soil, and a healthier environment.
That’s why Certified Humane® farmers and ranchers often define and publicize structured regenerative systems for their programs or seek recognition from an organization like the Regenerative Organic Alliance.
To read the views of prominent scientists on this topic, check out our article on Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture.
•••
Ask us your questions!
Over the next several months, we’ll dive deeper into more topics that explore how farm animals are treated — and how the Certified Humane® program is seeking to improve their lives.
What questions do you have about how farm animals are cared for? Email us your questions or connect with us on social media!
Scroll to the bottom of this page for a link to the social media platform of your choice.
•••
References
1 Based on the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ total count of “producing animals” killed worldwide in 2022, which includes 75 billion chickens, 1.5 billion pigs, 504 million goats, 637 million sheep, and 300 million cattle. This number does not include any fish.
2 Since 2000, world production of meat has increased from 232 million metric tons to 360 million metric tons of meat, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The only year meat production decreased from the year before was in 2019.
3 Not many countries track the dietary choices of their population. However, YouGov, which surveys the dietary choices of people in the United Kingdom every six months, has found the percentage of meat eaters (73%) remains relatively unchanged since 2019. In the United States, a 2018 survey of dietary preferences by Gallup showed very little change in those who claimed to be vegetarian or vegan (5% and 3%, respectively) as compared to surveys in 1999 and 2012.
4 For more information, please see the Regenerative Organic Alliance’s explanation of how regenerative agriculture works.