develop an economically viable way of raising laying hens without using battery cages.
Over this period, approximately one million hens raised on FACT farms were freed from life in cages. These cage-free eggs were sold in major supermarket chains across the country creating a niche market for humanely produced eggs. Today, cage-free eggs are widely available at most grocery stores.
In 1986, FACT began its Rambling Rose® Veal Project that pioneered the raising of veal calves without crates and with access to solid foods. This humanely raised, pink veal was sold to upscale restaurants where it was prepared by well-known celebrity chefs. As a result, the demand for humanely raised veal has increased. In January 2006, FACT launched its Humane and Sustainable Dairy Project. In consultation with dairy nutritionists, extension agents, dairy producers and animal behavior scientists, FACT is working with dairy operations in Texas to implement practices that improve the welfare and comfort of dairy cows.
Promoting humane farming methods makes a difference. The more meat, milk, and eggs produced humanely and sold to consumers, the fewer animals will be raised on factory farms. FACT meets with farmers who use humane methods and helps promote their products. FACT is actively involved with farmers' markets and helps to organize discussions of husbandry systems at conferences involving farmers, chefs, and food retailers.
- Strict governmental standards for production claims on labels, including
"organic," "grass fed," and "natural." FACT works to uphold the integrity of these claims so that factory farms cannot use these labels.
- Farmers who use healthy and humane practices to raise food animals, including limiting the unnecessary use of antibiotics, providing the animals with adequate space and access to the outdoors, and allowing the animals to express their natural behaviors.
- Consumers who make an effort to purchase humanely raised meat and poultry products.
- The development of farmers' markets and other niche markets that are economically beneficial to farmers who use humane practices.