Tell the USDA factory farming isn't 'natural'

Living cramped in a cage or crate without fresh air, sunlight, or freedom of movement doesn’t sound very natural does it? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on the “natural” label which can currently be voluntarily used on meat and poultry products from animals raised in this inhumane manner.

According to the USDA the “natural” claim may be used on meat and poultry products that are minimally processed and do not contain any chemical preservatives, artificial or synthetic flavoring, or coloring ingredients. The USDA makes no demands on producers to provide natural living conditions for the animals these products come from. This means that “natural” products can come from animals raised on factory farms, confined to small spaces and subjected to cruel and inhumane physical mutilations such as tail docking or beak trimming, given non-therapeutic antibiotics, and fed hormones to promote growth.

WSPA is opposed to this label and is asking supporters and concerned consumers to let the USDA know that the existing standards are not acceptable.

Please submit comments expressing your concerns to the USDA using the link below. You may use the sample points provided to create your letter but keep in mind that personalized letters are always more effective. Please refrain from using rude language as it will likely cause the USDA to disregard your comments and concerns.

The USDA is only accepting comments until November 13, 2009 so please submit your comments today!

Please note: Only the "First Name," "Last Name," and “Comment” boxes are required fields on the online form. If you are unable to submit comments using the form, please click on “Alternate Ways to Comment” near the top of the page.

SAMPLE POINTS:

I am writing to request that the USDA explicitly address the treatment and living conditions of animals raised for food when determining whether meat and poultry products can be labeled as “natural.”

The USDA’s view that the “natural” claim only relates to finished products regardless of how those products were made is misleading and inconsistent with the view held by the majority of consumers including myself. Labeling a meat or poultry product with the term “natural” indicates something significant about how the animals these products came from were treated. The standards should not allow for intensive confinement and cruel factory farming practices such as early weaning or physical mutilations like tail docking, beak trimming and teeth clipping. The “natural” claim should require what most people consider to be natural living conditions for farm animals – unrestricted access to fresh air, sunlight and the ability to perform natural behaviors. Failure to address the humane treatment of animals will result in unnecessary consumer confusion.

I urge the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to prohibit use of the term “natural” on any products derived from animals raised under conditions that prevented the expression of their natural behaviors and to work with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to combine the “natural” and “naturally raised” labels into a single label that includes animal welfare considerations. Furthermore, the USDA should require that these standards apply to all meat and poultry products making that claim.