Consumer Demand Sparks First Certified Humane(R) Chicken And Egg Products Raised And Sold In Southeast Asia

          Three Southeast Asian farms have earned Certified Humane(R) designation from Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), the leading international nonprofit certification program whose mission is to improve the lives of farm animals in food production. The farms are in Malaysia and Singapore:

          - Toh Thye San Farm, from Johor, Malaysia has certified its production of GG French Poulet chickens sold mostly to consumers in Singapore.
          - Liang Kee Farming, an hour North of Kuala Lumpur has certified its free-range eggs, and
          - Chew's Agriculture, from Singapore, has certified its cage free egg laying hen houses.

          They are among the newest producers and farmers to join the Certified Humane(R) program, which requires farmers to adhere to HFAC's Animal Care Standards and undergo third-party inspections to confirm compliance for consumers.

          Among other things, HFAC's Animal Care Standards requires that:

          - Farm animals be fed nutritious diets without antibiotics, growth promoters and animal by-products,
          - Receive proper shelter, resting areas, and sufficient space to support natural behaviors

          Just like every other animal, farm animals, including chickens or laying hens, deserve to have their emotional and physical needs met and be raised in a way that allows them to express natural behaviors throughout their lives.

          HFAC works to improve the lives of farm animals by driving consumer demand for kinder and more responsible farm animal practices.

          "With Certified Humane(R) label on the packaging of animal products the consumer in Southeast Asia can finally have a choice, and buy products from farms that care about the way animals are raised," says Luiz Mazzon, HFAC Director in charge of the regional operations. "With our new team of local inspectors we are able to perform inspections in farms from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and all neighboring countries," says Luiz.

          Certified Humane(R) products are currently available in 55,000 stores in many countries, including the US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru and now Singapore and Malaysia.

          Since HFAC launched in May 2003, more than 200 companies, representing 6,000 farms and 1 billion farm animals, have joined the program. Endorsed by over 70 animal welfare and humane societies, the Certified Humane(R) program is known worldwide for certifying farm animal welfare, from birth through slaughter.

          For more information on HFAC and the Certified Humane(R) label, visit www.certifiedhumane.org.