UEP Certified Gets High Marks From Food Marketing Institute

WASHINGTONThe United Egg Producers (UEP) Certified program recently received one of the highest evaluations from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) animal welfare advisory committee for its role in ensuring the proper care of egg-laying hens nationwide. FMI reviewed animal welfare guidelines employed by various commodity groups such as eggs, poultry, beef, pork and others.

United Egg Producers (UEP) has always prided itself with being a leader in agriculture," said Chad Gregory, UEP president. That was true 10 years ago when we were one of the first farm groups to develop animal husbandry guidelines (UEP Certified) that are now followed by farmers who produce more than 90% of the eggs in the United States. And its also true today as we seek federal legislation as part of the Farm Bill to establish a uniform, minimum standard for egg production in the United States."

Commenting on the program, Mark Oldenkamp, chairman of UEPs Animal Welfare Committee, said: Ten years ago we established baselines for the care and treatment of the animals that are on our farms. But we continue to review and raise those standards every few years as science and experience shows us how to improve so the UEP Certified program is not just a static program. It continues to improve year after year."