American Humanes' Livestock Transport Program: Working for Humane Transport to In-Humane Slaughter

American Humane® Certified Farm Animal Program to Develop Humane Livestock Transport
Research of Next Generation of Humane Transportation Will be Monitored

Denver (June 30, 2009)
The nation’s leading animal-welfare monitoring and humane-labeling program for food products – American Humane® Certified -- will convene a panel of experts in animal handling, animal science, veterinary medicine and transportation-equipment manufacturing to develop improved welfare standards for design, technology and monitoring of livestock transportation. American livestock transportation equipment that meets the standards will be recognized with the American Humane Gold Award.

American Humane Certified will begin monitoring the research and testing of a new humanely designed trailer, recently introduced at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. Advanced Livestock Transport (ALT), a new USA livestock trailer company, has imported its first trailer into the United States from trailer manufacturer Castañe of Spain, for introduction to the American pork industry, as well as other species that are transported by truck. ALT is the first transport company to sell equipment in North America that complies with European Union (EU) regulations on animal welfare.

The research on the ALT trailer will be conducted by Texas Tech University, under the direction of Professor John McGlone. Among data to be tracked are the rates of dead on arrival, and non-ambulatory and non-injured pigs compared to other transportation equipment designs. ALT has engineered temperature controls designed to reduce the rate of dead and downed pigs. The trailer also has increased floor space to be able to provide science-based space allowances and an elevator that eliminates the need for ramps. The trailer includes on-board GPS tracking, and temperature and video monitoring of animals during transport. The early research is expected to be completed by late 2009.

The certification of transportation equipment is a reintroduction of American Humane’s historic “Gold Award” for humanely-designed transportation equipment. It was first awarded in 1887 to the A.C. Mather Co. for its improved cattle rail car. Over the decades, American Humane has worked closely with the livestock and transportation industries to develop humane methods and equipment that improve animal welfare during transport. More historical information can be found at http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/farm-animals.html

“American Humane has been involved in creating more humane conditions for animals in transport since our founding in 1877,” said Tim Amlaw, director of American Humane Certified. “It is fitting that we revisit our legacy and once again recognize humane practices in the transportation of livestock.”

Upon completion of the livestock transportation standards and in-depth review by the American Humane Certified Scientific Advisory Committee, the standards will be publicly available on American Humane Certified’s web site, www.thehumanetouch.org.


About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the exclusive authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”® end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane Certified™ farm animal program is the nation’s original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food (www.thehumanetouch.org). American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America’s “Best in America” Seal of Approval, and has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

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http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/certified-livestock-transport.html