policy
AVMA animal welfare principles
The AVMA, as a medical authority for the health and welfare of animals, offers eight integrated principles for developing and evaluating animal…
JAVMA news
Measuring and applying welfare
Dr. Sarah Probst Miller teaches farm employees how to improve their interactions with pigs, and says that her teaching philosophy is guided by the…
JAVMA news
Pressure from above
Animal welfare is improving as buyers pressure suppliers to meet standards and to participate in audit and education programs.
policy
Livestock identification and animal traceability
Permanent, unique identification of animals and premises is essential for tracing origin and destination of livestock to protect the nation’s…
JAVMA news
AHA certification covers nearly 1 billion farm animals
The number of animals living on farms certified by the American Humane Association Certified program quintupled in 14 months.
JAVMA news
Snapshots
Dr. M. Gatz Riddell (standing), executive vice president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and Dr. Tom Burkgren (left),
JAVMA news
AASV president sees educational opportunities, challenges
Dr. Tara S. Donovan said the American Association of Swine Veterinarians can help retailers and the public understand complex subjects such as animal…
JAVMA news
Production practices not justified by productivity
Dr. Jennifer Walker said public trust in farmers can be supported by, but not based on, science and economics.
JAVMA news
Retailers tell suppliers to end sow stall use
McDonald's, Compass Group, Wendy's, Burger King, Safeway, Kroger, Cracker Barrel, and Sonic have announced since February plans to gradually…
policy
Tail docking of cattle
The AVMA opposes routine tail docking of cattle. Current scientific literature indicates it provides no benefit to the animal, and it may cause…
JAVMA news
Sow housing statements
From February through June, at least eight companies announced plans to eventually buy only pork produced without use of gestation
JAVMA news
Board acts to remove hurdles to AVMA membership
The AVMA Executive Board met Aug. 27-28 to take up an agenda dealing with such issues as AVMA membership requirements, livestock traceability and…
JAVMA news
Genetics and analgesics added to castration, dehorning policy
The AVMA Executive Board approved revisions to the AVMA policy on cattle castration and dehorning that account for genetic
policy
UNDER REVIEWPregnant sow housing
Pregnant sows are kept in a variety of housing systems. View the AVMA's recommendations for sow housing and management systems.
JAVMA news
Transport policy for hoofstock approved
The AVMA Executive Board approved a new policy, “Transport, Sale Yard Practices, and Humane Slaughter of Hoofstock and Poultry,”
JAVMA news
Flood of pork buyers want sow housing changes
Increased interest in farm practices by the public and corporate executives could be connected with dozens of companies’ pledges to eliminate…
JAVMA news
Rinderpest eradicated
Global animal health authorities are celebrating the worldwide eradication of the "cattle plague." Rinderpest was responsible for the deaths of…
JAVMA news
Cattle drug’s sales suspended after lameness reports
A drug company suspended sales in the U.S. and Canada of a beta-adrenoceptor agonist used to add dozens of pounds of muscle to cattle.
JAVMA news
AASV removes “gestation” term from housing policy
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians has removed a statement on gestation stalls from its policy on sow housing, but
JAVMA news
Swine policy revised to recognize immunocastration
The AVMA policy concerning swine castration has been revised to acknowledge that immunocastration may be a viable alternative to surgical castration.
JAVMA news
Devocalization as a final alternative
AVMA Delegates pass resolutions on devocalization, VCPR, livestock handling
policy
Bovine disbudding and dehorning
Disbudding and dehorning of cattle are important for human and animal safety, although they are procedures that cause pain and discomfort. AVMA…
JAVMA news
Advocates’ video targets farm of pork producers’ president
An advocacy organization says its secretly recorded video shows abuse on a Minnesota hog farm owned in part by the current
JAVMA news
Fighting to feed the world
Dr. Matthew S. Anderson said veterinarians in swine medicine are increasingly needed as advocates who can speak for their patients and their clients.
JAVMA news
A bucking-bull veterinarian in the making
When Dr. Gary D. Warner asked his daughter Kelly why she wanted to be a large animal veterinarian over anything anything else, he wasn’t necessarily…