validus ventures, llc - vita plus · validus ventures, llc an iso 9001: 2008-certified privately...

ISO 9001: 2008Certified

Business Confidential

ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Validus Ventures, LLC

an ISO 9001: 2008-certified privately owned company with roots in on-farm work

Consistently concentrating on farm-level programs, our audit services include major

species-specific animal welfare, on-farm security,

environment, and worker care

We’ve completed over 6,000 Environmental Assessments and over 500 Animal Welfare Audits

We Work Nationwide



Our Audits Cover Critical Production Areas

Environmental Review• All livestock and poultry• Crop

Animal Welfare Review• Dairy• Pork• Beef – in process• Sheep/Goats – in concept

On-Farm Security• Dairy• Pork• Turkey – in process• Chicken – in process• Crop

Traceability – All Species

Worker Care – in process




March 25, 2010

Earl DotsonPresident/CEO

Validus Ventures, LLCDes Moines, Iowa

EXPECTATIONS OF AN ANIMAL WELFARE

AUDIT



Purpose of today’s presentation

1. Why do I need an animal welfare audit?AuditAssessmentReview

2. What should I expect of an animal welfare audit if I get one?


“Before we can understand if we need an audit we need

to gain a better understanding of the consuming public.”



Consumers have changed

• Fifty years ago, the average consumer still had a direct “connection”to agriculture

• Most consumers still had grandparents or relatives that lived on farms and were involved in production agriculture



Not the case today

• According to the Census Bureau – About 75% of the U.S. population is

urban– 25% live in the 50 largest cities – 10% live in the 10 largest cities

• They’re more disconnected than ever before understanding where food comes from

• They have little understanding of livestock production and a general lack of trust in many agricultural practices



Most consumers still have a romanticized image

– Dairy cows grazing peacefully on green pasture

– Pigs wallowing in a mud hole on a hot summer day

– Chickens running freely about the farm yard


How do Consumers Want toVisualize Agriculture?


Business ConfidentialFactory Farm



Agriculture has lost its “good guy” image



Today’s Agricultural Landscape is Changing

• Consumers are hammered with negative messages about animal agriculture

• Animal agriculture is facing growing questions about production systems and practices

• Activist groups are pressuring customers and initiating legislation and litigation to change the way agriculture operates

HSUSbacked a

nimal

cruelty bill int

roduced

Mother Pigs and Piglets

Abused by Hormel Supplier

Urgent Help Is Needed

For Abused Farm Pigs

These prison cells are

called gestation crates

'Disturbing reality of dairy land'



Consumers are asking questions about livestock production

• Many of the issues that the public is questioning are subservient to modern production techniques---– crates, cages, stalls, tail docking, dehorning,

castration, teeth clipping

• We have been slow to respond to consumers questions about agriculture

• We are quick to “attack the attacker”

• When we have responded, we defend ourselves with technical and scientific answers.

• It sometimes appears that we (agriculture) has a lock on science and only our science is good



THE ANIMAL WELFARE PROBLEM

The definition of “right”and “wrong” in animal

welfare

“Science” versus “Ethics”



Ethics Are Not About Science

• Ethics are about what is perceived as right. That is what producers need to determine!– Can the animal turn around?

• NO—is that ethical? – Can the bird spread its wings and stand up?

• No—is that ethical?– Can the animal exhibit its natural bedding

tendencies?• No—is that ethical?

– Is the practice necessary?• No—is that ethical?

– This is what the public in Florida, Arizona and California voted on


By focusing too narrowly on science, the livestock industries (we) appear to be ignoring the real issue.

The public is addressing the issue with emotions and ethics, while (we) agriculture is addressing the issue with science.



Which is True??

The one advertised

the reality of cattle raised and maintained in confinement systems that are geared to production, efficiency, and, of course, comfort

OR

These two systems look very different



Animal Agriculture’s Problem

• Voters hear so many confusing and contradictory claims in the name of science that it's losing its power to persuade

• If science says crates aren't cruel, but voters see photos and film footage like these

• Would you believe the science??

• Put yourself in the consumers’shoes



Consumers and Producers are on a Collision Course

At the present rate, two parallel worlds

will collide

Producers- Commodity view- Defend with science

Consumer- Emotional view- Commodity talkis not heard

Agrarian Non-Agrarian


To Protect Your Farm May Require You to Move to the

Next Level

PQA Plus is a Good Start, but Does It Go Far Enough for Your

Operation?

The “We Care” Program is very important, but can you provide data and third-party oversight that allow

you to prove you follow the program?



Producers must be able to

verify that they are treating

their animals properly!

Two Key Questions to ask

yourself:

Can I?

How?



How can I verify that I am treating my animals properly?

1. Do nothing—Convey the message to the consumer “TRUST ME”

2. Self certification using self-endorsed programs and policies

3. Change nothing—Implement a P.R. program

4. Let the Government do it through regulation or legislation

5. Third-party certification and verification



Rules to Judge Our Choices

• Is the choice measurable?

• Is the choice verifiable?

• Does the choice result in a defendable program?

• Will the choice be trusted by the consumer?



3rd Party Certification and VerificationAn Audit

• A representation of what is occurring, animal welfare wise, on the operation on a daily basis that is substantiated by records

• Concentrates on continual improvement by addressing conformance/compliance with the standards that are being followed on the farm



What does a 3rd party verification program do?

• Covers physical attributes, animal behavior, and the animal’s living environment

• Does not discriminate against one type of farm

• Addresses written protocols and training programs in the operation

• Observes and assures the animals are being treated well and cared for properly

• Verifies that certain steps in a process are being carried out

• Tells management whether their management goals and objectives are being carried out



Audits must be structured so they are repeatable and defendable



How should 3rd party audits be conducted?

• The audit normally begins before the visit to the farm

• Basic inventory, housing and management information is provided to the auditor via questionnaire so the audit can be planned and performed efficiently

• This ensures the whole operation can be reviewed without missing animals, facilities, or events



Conducting the 3rd Party Audit

• The audit itself starts with an entrance interview – Auditor will explain the process

– Auditor will request documentation of protocols, training programs, euthanasia programs, and different schedules; i.e. feeding, milking, etc.

– The owner should have a clear understanding of the process

Entrance Interview




• Once the entrance interview is complete, the auditor will visually inspect the following:– Animal handling and management – Herd health procedures and care – Food and water quality standards – Housing– On-farm security procedures – Management of special needs’ animals

– In addition, workers will be observed and asked questions

Entrance Interview




• The farm portion of the audit ends with an exit interview – Auditor will review the observations, and

ask questions of management about observations made during the audit that need further explanation

• The audit is complete when the final report is filed with the audit company and a copy is sent to the farm



A Third Party Audit Should Focus on Improvement

• Audits should be constructed to improve the operation, not cause the operation to fail

• Audits should concentrate on continual improvement by addressing conformance/compliance with the standards that are being followed on the farm – If a nonconformance (failure to comply with one of the

standards) is found, a corrective action is issued – The result of a corrective action is that the operation must

develop a plan to address the non-conformance of the standard

– The plan is reviewed in following audits until it is complete

– Failure to address the plan will result in failure of the audit



• Defend their work• Be a full time auditing company• Have errors and omissions

insurance• Have credentials• Be experienced and have a

recognized reputation for auditing expertise

• Be truly Third Party to your operation

An auditing company should:


Conclusion


If we aren’t careful….. “Bad becomes

Normal”

Continual monitoring/tracking on

farm is needed to overcome this situation



How does the public want animals to be treated?

• With – compassion – dignity – respect

• As we consider animal welfare practices, these moral and ethical issues must be at the forefront in any decision making process



What must be done?

• We must keep consumer confidence in mind when addressing animal welfare issues

• All of us involved in production agriculture must do what we can to relay positive messages

• We must be able to back up our positive message

• We need to manage our farms with the goal of total transparency

• Animal welfare must be defined each day by the people who care for the animals on our farms



Third Party Animal Welfare Auditing Works• Third party on-farm auditing of animal

welfare assures that animal agriculture operates in an ethical and moral way

• It proves that practices that do not allow suffering of the animals are in place and are being implemented


Thank You

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