Program Term Archive

Farmed Animals

Aquaculture

Farmed Animals

Aquaculture refers to the farming of aquatic organisms, including finfish, crustaceans, mollusks, plants, and algae for human use. Aquaculture has been practiced by cultures around the globe for millennia. However,...

Animals on Factory Farms

Farmed Animals

Approximately 80 billion animals (not including fish) are slaughtered globally each year in the meat, dairy, and egg industries, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations....

The Critical Relationship Between Farm Animal Health and Welfare

Farmed Animals

Presents scientific evidence of the connection between the health and welfare of farm animals, and describes the recognition of this link by animal health authorities worldwide.

The Welfare of Birds at Slaughter in the United States

Farmed Animals

Examination of how the USDA has failed to prevent cruelty to birds during the slaughter process in the United States.

Humane Slaughter Update

Farmed Animals

Analysis of federal and state enforcement of humane slaughter laws, from 2019–2022; follow-up to AWI’s 2020 Humane Slaughter Update.

Humanewashed

Farmed Animals

Examination of how the Process Verified Program allows conventional producers to imply that the USDA has verified their farm animal welfare marketing claims.

Farmed Animals in Transport: The Twenty-Eight Hour Law

Farmed Animals

Analysis of enforcement of the federal Twenty-Eight Hour Law from 2006–2023. Updates 2022 edition of report.

Barn Fires: A Deadly Threat to Farmed Animals

Farmed Animals

Examination of barn fires and associated farmed animal deaths in the United States. Presents findings from three years of compiled data on when, where, and why barn fires occur, and...

Custom-Exempt Slaughter: A License to Neglect and Abuse Farm Animals

Farmed Animals

An AWI review of the expanding practice of custom-exempt slaughter and its impact on the treatment of animals at slaughter; 2023; 8 pages.

Deceptive Consumer Labels

Farmed Animals

The third edition of AWI’s report on the USDA’s oversight of “humane” and “sustainable” claims on meat product labels. Includes a review of nearly 100 specific product labels.