The 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating Cheat Sheet (DRAFT) by [deleted]

The 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating Program promotes and facili­tates continuous improv­ement in animal agricu­lture, encourages animal welfare friendly farming practices, and better informs consumers about the animal farming systems they choose to support. It is a certif­ication program developed by the Global Animal Partne­rship, to change the landscape of animal agricu­lture through a positive, rewarding, multi-­sta­keh­older approach.

Who Is Global Animal Partne­rship? An intern­ational nonprofit charitable organi­zation founded in 2008 with the primary mission of facili­tating and encour­aging continuous improv­ement and higher welfare in animal agricu­lture, princi­pally through its signature progra­m—the 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating Standards.

• The 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating program is a multi-­tiered system that, designed to promote continuous improv­ement in animal agricu­lture.
• Each set of tiered standards (Steps) has its own requir­ements for each particular Step level. Each Step Rating has its own distinct label to affix on products to identify the particular Step level achieved.
• The 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating Standards:
Inspires producers to move up the welfare ladder;
Enables engagement with a broad spectrum of farmers and ranchers, rather than a minority segment of a niche agricu­ltural community;
Allows for greater product supply of higher welfare offerings for expanded consumer options;
More accurately and justly rewards and recognizes producers for their specific welfare practices;
Encourages innovation by farmers and ranchers, and
Better informs consumers about the production systems they may choose to support.
• Indepe­ndent, third-­party certif­ication companies conduct the audits and verifi­cation in accordance to the 5-Step standards. Using third parties, Global Animal Partne­rship is best positioned to remain objective and maintain the integrity of the 5-Step program.

A multi-­tiered Animal Welfare Standards provides a unique approach to farm animal welfare certif­ica­tion. Each set of Animal Welfare Standa­rds­—from Step 1 to Step 5+—has its own requir­ements that must be met before a farm can be certified. The main emphasis of the standards is taking an animal­-ce­ntered approach – looking at what the animals are showing us through their physical condition and their behavior.

Step 1 - No Cages, No crates, No crowding
Step 2 - Enriched enviro­nment
Step 3 - Enhanced Outdoor access
Step 4 – Pasture centered
Step 5 – Animal centered, Physical altera­tions prohibited
Step 5+ - Animals live entire life on integrated farm

Provides transp­arency for consumers on animal production systems
Encourages and support farmers and rancher to move up the animal welfare ladder
Recognizes producers for their commitment to animal welfare practices
Offers a wider variety of products to consumers and retailers