...discovering and sharing knowledge to improve the lives of farm animals.
Standards
In December 2003, Whole Foods Market began the development of Animal Compassionate Standards. Working species by species, the Company is developing enhanced farm animal welfare standards that provide for environments and conditions that support the animal's physical, emotional, and behavioral needs. A critical component of these standards is a shift in the emphasis of animal husbandry from a focus on production to a focus on animal welfare. Producers who successfully achieve the standards will be able to label their products with the special designation of "Animal Compassionate."
The Standards are developed through a consultative multi-stakeholder process. Participants in the standards development process include Whole Foods Market's Animal Compassionate Standards Development Team, animal welfare advocates, research scientists specializing in animal behavior and welfare, farm animal producers, and an independent standards auditor.
Though related, and similarly named, the Animal Compassionate Standards are not created or maintained by the Animal Compassion Foundation. The Foundation is a separate and independent non-profit educational organization created to provide producers and researchers with the opportunity to learn, share ideas, and collaborate on projects.