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The United States is dramatically improving the quality of the lives — and the humaneness of the deaths — of the cows, pigs and chickens that we eat. Experts say this increased concern for animal welfare over the past five years is nothing short of remarkable. But what makes it even more remarkable is that this push for more humane care is coming from the folks with the economic clout to make producers sit up and take notice — supermarkets and fast food restaurants.
And they are continuing a reform trend started by perhaps the world's most famous purveyor of beef — McDonald's. The period from 1999 to 2002 was a "watershed" in animal welfare worldwide, says David Fraser, a professor of animal behavior and welfare at the University of British Columbia in Canada. "It was as if a crucial mass had been reached and animal welfare and assurance programs became the thing to do," he says.
"If you're Mr. Chicken Grower you better pay attention because your biggest customers are going to be asking you tomorrow what you're doing to insure your chickens are being handled humanely," says Terrie Dort, president of the National Council of Chain Restaurants. (see link for full article)
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