The American Humane Association has been active in animal welfare causes since 1877, and in 2000, it launched the Free Farmed program with the aim of improving living conditions for farm animals. With increasing pressure to produce food for a growing number of people, animals have suffered immensely. A growing social awareness of the living conditions of most farm animals, combined with educational efforts by the animal rights movement, resulted in the Free Farmed program, which assures consumers that animals have been raised in humane conditions with their welfare in mind.
Free Farmed animal products, when available, are always a better choice than commercially farmed options. Not only are Free Farmed products more ethical, but they are often healthier as well, because Free Farmed animals do not contend with the crowded and disease ridden conditions that factory farmed animals endure. The animal rights movement also suggests to consumers that happy food simply tastes better, although no scientific evidence has been mustered to bolster this claim.
The first and most important principle of Free Farmed labeling is that animals cannot be raised in confinement. In the case of chickens, for example, they must be permitted to roam open pasture spaces and may not be kept in cages. Free Farmed animals enjoy a better life without being confined among thousands of their kind in small, dark, unhealthy spaces. The foods they can forage in pasture add to the depth and complexity of the products produced from them, such as eggs and milk. In addition, animals allowed to forage naturally seek out a balanced and healthy diet, which results in better nutritional quality for the consumer.
In addition, Free Farmed animals must have access to free flowing food and water at all time. Conventionally raised egg laying chickens are often starved to induce a forced molt, which increases egg production, although the health cost to the chickens is very high. Free Farmed animals must have access to veterinary care and are entitled to receive treatment and disease prevention measures so that they live healthy lives without pain and suffering. Free Farmed animals are also encouraged to express normal animal behaviors and are not debeaked or subjected to tail docking. They must be given appropriate shelter, the company of other animals, rest, and a healthy diet.
Free Farmed certification is being sought out by a growing number of companies, which cooperate with the American Humane Association to achieve certification through a series of inspections. Certification can be revoked or denied at any time to farms not following Free Farmed practices. Free Farmed food is raised with the welfare of the animal in mind, but it also passes healthier foods down to the end consumer.