Animal welfare is a legitimate and major topic of conversation throughout the industry. I have seen farm operations spend millions of dollars on the best equipment, veterinary care, biosecurity and studies dedicated to continuous improvement. Farmers care deeply about their animals and know that healthy animals are the bedrock of a sustainable farming operation.

However, some activist groups do not think this is enough. They are pressuring food companies and their suppliers to commit to independent third-party audits of their operations.

At face value, this sounds like a positive and progressive practice that is tough to argue with. To that end, I have received many calls from animal agriculture leaders asking for advice on third-party certification.

The answer is: It depends.

There are many wonderful welfare certifications out there with standards that are science-based.

But beyond the standards, I encourage all industry leaders to take a long hard look at who is behind the standards and the program. Ask yourself if they have your organization’s best interests in mind and whether they are trustworthy.

One certification program in particular concerns me. Global Animal Partnership (also referred to as GAP) is often the one being hyped by groups like the ASPCA and Humane Society of the United States.

The warm-sounding name hides the truth behind the leadership of this organization.

GAP currently has eight board members. Three of those board members qualify as anti-industry activists.

GAP board member Matt Bershadker, CEO of the ASPCA, is currently leading a coalition of radical animal rights groups on Capitol Hill to hijack the Farm Bill. The ASPCA’s demands include a national ban on new or expanded large animal-feeding operations, increased federal regulation of meat marketing, and subsidies for farmers who transition from raising animals to plants.

The ASPCA’s own website decries that “95% of farm animals in the U.S. are raised in factory farms.” This is not the type of language that should lead a farm operation to give GAP and Matt access to all of their farm locations.

GAP board member Dr. Sara Shields works for Humane Society International, the international arm of HSUS. Remember, HSUS is the primary driver of legislation targeting the pork, egg, and chicken industries (legislation which Shields has voiced support for on social media).

Board member Ben Williamson is with Compassion in World Farming. This group is clamoring for a ban on large farming operations by 2040, changes to the genetics of chickens, sow housing changes and even protections for octopus being raised in aquaculture farms.

Two other board members are senior executives with Whole Foods, which has often been referred to as “Whole Paycheck.” I can attest that the exorbitant prices at Whole Foods in and around Washington, DC are not in any way sustainable, affordable, or socially responsible for the vast majority of Americans.

Whole Foods fills a unique niche of catering to wealthy urbanites. A welfare program that would significantly increase grocery bills across the country is hardly surprising with these two at the helm.

Of the two out of eight GAP board members who are actual producers, one of them sells organic chicken breast that is listed online for a whopping $10.99 per pound.

Knowing what you know now, you need to ask yourself some questions:

· Would you give GAP’s leadership a list of all your farming locations?

· If you can attain certification, will they move the goalposts on you a year or two from now?

· Does this organization align with your business and family interests?

Choosing a welfare certifier is a bit like choosing a spouse. You want someone who is honest, trustworthy, holds you accountable and makes you better. Choosing a certifier with a board composed of anti-farming activists, executives representing an elitist supermarket brand and niche farmers better suited for a farmers market than a national supply chain is more than a gamble. It may be certifiably insane.

What happens when the certifiers are 'certifiable'?

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