Animal Welfare Review - Beef | Poultry | Swine

Validus Dairy Animal Welfare Review

The Dairy Animal Welfare Review Program verifies a farmer’s animal welfare practices. The program includes a comprehensive assessment of the farm’s animal care practices, along with recommendations for any improvements that may be necessary. The Animal Welfare Review Certification Program includes an audit of the farmer's animal welfare practices.

The program is implemented on-farm by Validus assessors and auditors who receive ongoing, comprehensive training. Validus auditors are trained to audit based on ISO standards. Re-certification is required on an annual basis.

USDA Process Verified
The Dairy Animal Welfare Review Program has been approved as a USDA Process Verified Program. This program designation is designed to assure customers of a consistent, quality product or service through independent, third-party audits. The USDA Process Verified Program uses ISO 9000 type standards for evaluating quality management systems for their approved programs. To qualify, a company must submit a documented quality management system and successfully pass extensive onsite audits and customer interviews. The Dairy Animal Welfare Review Program is USDA Process Verified in the following areas: Assessment, Audit and Data System. For more information on USDA Process Verified, visit http://processverified.usda.gov

Dairy Animal Welfare Review Assessment
The program begins with a comprehensive assessment of the farm’s animal care practices. The assessment includes:

Step 1: Entrance Interview with owner/manager
Step 2: On-site Assessment
Step 3: Exit Interview with owner/manager
Step 4: Written assessment report and certificate

The assessor records observations of the operation’s animal handling, care and appearance. Specific areas reviewed include:

• Animal handling practices
• Body condition
• Feed and water access and quality
• Herd health
• Facilities/housing
• Animal hygiene
• Special needs management
• Parlor management
• Animal behavior
• Management and employee training

Dairy Animal Welfare Review Audit
The Dairy Animal Welfare Review Audit is available to all farmers seeking certification. The audit is recommended to farmers required to provide suppliers with independent verification of their animal care practices as well as to farmers who want to reassure their customers that they raise their animals humanely. Upon certification, farmers receive a certificate and farm gate sign for their use.

Validus Expert Committees
The Validus Animal Welfare Certification programs were developed by independent industry experts. Click here to meet the members of the Validus Expert and Advisory Committees.

Validus Certified Farms and Products
Learn more about the products and farmers awarded the Validus Animal Welfare Review by clicking here