Free-range meats and eggs are exploding in popularity around the world. In the United Kingdom, free-range eggs have actually outsold those from traditional farms, and many major stores are selling only free-range eggs.1 In California, a proposition on the ballot in November of 2008 passed, which forces pig, cow, and chicken farmers to either increase the space inside their crates and cages or completely remove them.2 For more information check out the Greeniacs Article: http://www.wordpress-837916-4114959.cloudwaysapps.com/GreeniacsArticles/Animals-and-The-Environment-in-Politics.html.
What Makes Free-Range So Popular?
The most common free-range foods you’ll find at the supermarket are chicken and eggs, and for good reason. Of all animals in the United States, and even among farm animals, chickens are among those with the least legal protection, and are automatically exempt from any state laws prohibiting animal cruelty.3 This leads to many common inhumane treatments, such as being stuffed in cramped and stacked wire cages and barely being able to move, debeaking, and underfeeding hens to keep them laying eggs longer, called “force molting.” This intensive industrial process is not only painful for the animals, but is bad for the environment. The tons of manure produced by these chickens can leak into nearby water sources to harm other fish and wildlife.4 At its best, free-range farming eliminates these abuses, since chicken who are allowed to forage outside would need the full use of their beak, and could find enough food and space.
However, when you “free-range” poultry in the United States, experts warn that you may not be getting what you think you are.5 Compared to European standards for free-range, US standards are minimal.6 The USDA certifies as free-range any poultry that “has been allowed access to the outside,” which can encompass any cage-free barn which merely has a door open to a dirt-filled lot, whether or not the chicken actually step outside.7 Another term, “cage-free,” just means that the hens are not caged, but still are usually kept indoors.8 Also, when it comes to other non-poultry animals like cows or pigs, the “free-range” label is barely defined or regulated at all.9
On the other hand, there are some labels which really mean what free-range should mean. The label “grass-fed” means poultry are allowed to eat all the grass they want. The label “pastured poultry” means raising chickens on living grasses.10 However, even these definitions have so far been self-defined by each individual farm. On the plus side, since pastured poultry is still a relatively small market, you would probably have to deal directly with the farm anyway.
By contrast, European standards tend to be much more stringent than those in the US. The average chicken in a cage-free barn in the US has around 144 square inches to move around in. While this is better than the 67 square inch average of non-cage-free barns,11 the UK standard for “free-range” poultry limits the density of chicken to 250 per acre,12 and the French to 200 birds per acre.13
Because of relatively lax regulation in the US, some third-parties have created their own certification systems. The American Humane Association, for example, has created a label, “American Humane Certified.” This label guarantees that a farm follow rigorous testing to meet the standards for humane treatment of its animals.14 On the other hand, some third-party program certification can be misleading. About 80% of egg cartons sold in the US are labeled “Animal Care Certified”,15 but this label is certified by the United Egg Producers, and has been criticized by the Better Business Bureau.16 Those certified may still use stacked wire cages, debeaking, and “force molting.”17 The lesson to be learned is, even if something has been certified free range, be sure to do your own research.
Until the US passes much more stringent regulation on what can be defined as “free-range,” do a background check on the farms and certifications themselves. If you want to do something good for the environment and its animals, buying free-range food can be a big help, as long as you know what you’re paying for.
