Can We Take the Meat We Eat Out of the Factory and Put it Back on the Farm?

WASHINGTON, April 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The future of high-welfare and environmentally and financially sustainable livestock farming is taking center stage as heightened awareness about how our food is produced fuels the public's thirst for knowledge.  To correspond with Earth Day and the national broadcast premiere of Food, Inc. on PBS, Animal Welfare Approved is convening a panel of experts on May 4 -- just one mile from the White House and its symbolic organic garden -- to explore the future of sustainable, high-welfare livestock farming.

"Green Pastures, Bright Future: Taking the Meat We Eat Out of the Factory and Putting it Back on the Farm" will be held May 4, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. The panel discussion is presented by Animal Welfare Approved in cooperation with the Pew Environment Group.

Participating on the panel are investigative journalist and author of the popular book Animal Factory, David Kirby; author of the best-selling Righteous Porkchop, Nicolette Hahn Niman; chicken farmer and whistle-blower in the Oscar-nominated documentary "Food, Inc.", Carole Morison; and rancher, veterinarian and president of the American Grassfed Association, Dr. Patricia Whisnant. The discussion will be moderated by Andrew Gunther, Program Director for Animal Welfare Approved.

"The growth of the Animal Welfare Approved certification program alone points to the success of family farmers who use pasture-based, humane and environmentally responsible methods," says Gunther.

"Our panelists are those who have led the way and are committed to farming that is based in the wisdom of the past and the best practices of the present. They are some of the most knowledgeable people in the field, with extraordinary insight into the past, present and future of sustainable livestock farming.  We are looking forward to a lively and stimulating dialogue on an issue that affects all of us."

The free panel discussion, to be followed by a cocktail reception and book signing, will be held at the Pew Conference Center, 901 E Street NW, Washington, DC. For more information and to R.S.V.P. please visit http://www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org.

Animal Welfare Approved audits and certifies family farms that raise their animals with the highest animal welfare standards, outdoors, on pasture or range.  The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has lauded these standards for two years running as being the most stringent when compared to other third-party certification programs. Visit www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org for a searchable database of approved farms and restaurants, shops and markets where AWA farmers' products are sold. Choose the one independent food label that means healthy, safe, environmentally responsible and humanely raised.

SOURCE Animal Welfare Approved