Case Farms recognized by Humane Assoc.
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on July 17, 2016 1:45 AM
DUDLEY -- Case Farms in Wayne County has achieved national certification for its humane treatment of chickens after voluntarily meeting rigorous farm animal welfare standards.
The American Humane Association, founded in 1877 as the nation's first humane organization, announced the certification Thursday.
"As stewards of animals, it's our responsibility to ensure that we handle and treat them in the most humane way," said Kevin Phillips, president of Case Farms, in an association news release.
"The Case Farms quality commitment is to ensure the welfare and health of our chickens. We are excited for our company and associates at Case Farms . . . to be certified by and be given this recognition by American Humane.
"The certification assures our customers of the commitment and standards set by our company."
Case Farms, headquartered in Troutman, is a fully integrated poultry farming and processing group with several locations in North Carolina and Ohio. The company employs 3,200 workers, processes 2.9 million birds each week and annually produces more than 800 million pounds of fresh, frozen-for-export and partially cooked poultry products.
The company, founded in 1986, purchased the poultry operation in Dudley on Pecan Road, from WLR Foods in 1998. The Wayne County sites include a processing plant, feed mill, hatchery, grain storage facility and a par-fry operation where partially cooked poultry is produced.
The American Humane Association, through a national survey, asked 5,900 Americans about their views of the poultry industry. Nearly 95 percent said they are very concerned about farm animal welfare and more than 75 percent confirmed they willing to pay more for humanely raised eggs, meat and dairy products.
"The welfare of America's farm animals is a major concern for millions of consumers," said Kathi Brock, senior adviser for the American Humane Association's farm animal welfare program.
"We applaud Case Farms . . . for making the humane choice and voluntarily stepping forward to undergo rigorous audits and earn certification from our American Humane certified program."
The certification and auditing process includes a wide range of species-specific, science-based standards including adequate space, air quality, heat and lighting and humane treatment, which includes providing an environment that promotes natural animal behaviors.