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The National Chicken Council here has released a revised version of its Animal Welfare Guidelines and Audit Checklist, based on recommendations from a task force of industry veterinarians and other experts, and approved by the NCC executive committee and board of directors. The revisions mark the first overhaul of the industry-standard program in five years,

ANIMAL WELFARE GUIDELINES REVISED

WASHINGTON — The National Chicken Council here has released a revised version of its Animal Welfare Guidelines and Audit Checklist, based on recommendations from a task force of industry veterinarians and other experts, and approved by the NCC executive committee and board of directors. The revisions mark the first overhaul of the industry-standard program in five years, and include several new requirements for broiler and broiler-breeder operations. Notably, employees who handle live animals must receive special advance training, and must receive new training every year, in languages other than English if necessary. Each department of a company handling live animals must have a person in charge of promoting adherence to the guidelines. Participating companies must have their senior management team sign off on their company's animal welfare program. The new programs will now be reviewed every two years, beginning with a review by scientific advisors in 2011 and an industry committee review in 2012. “Numerous specific changes were made and metrics revised, resulting in a program that will be more challenging for our companies to comply with,” Bill Lovette, president of Case Foods and chairman of the animal welfare task force, said in a release. “But, we believe this is what our customers expect.”

PORK BOARD LAUNCHES RETAIL SITE

DES MOINES, Iowa — The National Pork Board here has launched a new retail website, porkretail.org, offering free downloadable point-of-sale materials, a marketing promotions calendar, consumer research, updates on industry news and other tools to help retailers promote pork. The current site format was created based on feedback from retailers who were looking for turnkey ideas to support pork promotions, and the site's offerings will continue to evolve based on changing retailer needs, according to the board. “The site provides instant access to valuable tools, and we see it as a resource that transforms with the industry,” Patrick Fleming, director of retail marketing for the National Pork Board, said in a release.

STUDY: LABELS NEED COOKING INFO

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — The Beef Checkoff Program, the National Pork Board and Yerecic Label this week will release the first phase of results from their second Protein Labeling Study during the 2010 Annual Meat Conference in Orlando, Fla., March 7-9. According to an initial announcement from Yerecic, the research indicated that consumers are looking for recipes and basic cooking directions to assist in preparing various cuts of meat and poultry; new ways to prepare familiar cuts of meat; serving suggestions for various cuts to make a complete meal; a photo of the finished dish; and various meal options to fit personal preferences.

ABA TURNS FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY

WASHINGTON — The American Bakers Association here welcomed Allen Shiver, president of Flowers Foods, as incoming chairman during a recent conference call. The call highlighted the group's upcoming convention in March as well as ABA's International Baking Industry Expo scheduled for September. At that event, ABA hopes to unveil its Sustainability Scorecard, which it began working on last fall, in partnership with the Allied Trades of the Baking Industry. ABA officials said the purpose of the scorecard is to measure sustainability initiative results and put bakers and their suppliers on the same page. Shiver said top-of-mind legislative issues include the Employee Free Choice Act and food safety. In separate news, registration for the upcoming ABA Convention, scheduled for March 14-17 at the Boca Raton (Fla.) Resort & Club, has increased 5% over 2009.