This program was created by the Animal Welfare Institute and is administered by A Greener World (AGW). Certified Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) by AGW is an independent, USDA third party approved, nonprofit farm certification program that audits and certifies qualifying farmers, including slaughter facilities for Red meat and Poultry.

Certification Standards
100% of standards must be met in order to be certified. Certification is granted only to independent farmers. All animals must be allowed to engage in natural behaviors with shelter, resting areas, and outdoors on pasture or range. Animals must not be raised in a "dual production" system meaning some of the farm is AWA and some is not. No animal by-products in feed or hormones are allowed and antibiotics are strictly used for sick animals only. Cages, tethers, or crates are not allowed. Beak trimming and tail docking and more are all prohibited under AWA. An approved list of parasite treatment options must also be followed in order to stay within compliance. Windbreaks and shade are required. The maximum transport time to slaughter is 8 hours. Welfare orientated slaughter standards, including emergency on-farm euthanasia, must also be met in order to stay in compliance.
Farms must pay applicable dues.

Animal Welfare Institute aims to aid all animals and improve humane treatment and high welfare living not only in farm settings, but in laboratories, companion animal settings, livestock guardian and herding dogs, plus more.

To learn more visit:

Animal Welfare Approved
Animal Welfare Institute


Related:

Certified Humane
Global Animal Partnership
Animal Welfare Charts
Animal Welfare Glossary

Click here for a downloadable list of references used for Animal Welfare.