Legislative successes by the Humane Society of the US prompt farmers to launch PR offensive

Animal welfare victories prompt farmers to change

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Recent successes by the Humane Society of the United States in securing protections in some states for chickens, pigs and veal calves have prompted the dairy industry to launch a PR offensive.

The National Milk Producers Federation will begin its new standard-of-care program in January to ensure that dairymen seeking its endorsement have procedures in place for everything from hoof care to euthanasia.

Spokesman Chris Galen says, “We need to play offense.”

The animal protection group has secured sweeping legislation in several states to improve the lives of farm animals by freeing them from cramped cages.

A ban on dairy cow tail-docking in California this year has led the milk industry to believe they will come under scrutiny next.