The AGCO Agriculture Foundation (AAF), a private foundation with the vision to prevent and relieve hunger through agricultural development, announced its 2020 AAF Award goes to the Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.) along with a $50,000 grant to help small-scale farmers in North America strengthen their animal welfare practices and earn certifications for their production processes.
G.A.P. is one of the largest animal welfare standards and labeling organizations in North America, and its multi-level standards impact the welfare of over 416 million farm animals on more than 3,900 farms, taking into consideration each animal’s health and productivity, natural living environment and emotional well-being.
While many small-scale producers are actively adopting and implementing humane practices, logistical issues and costs can serve as a barrier to entering a certification program. To help farmers achieve the certifications necessary, the project will leverage G.A.P.’s existing model and program specifically designed for the small-scale producer.
“We are proud to present the 2020 AAF Award to G.A.P. and believe this project is a natural fit for AGCO and the AAF, as we are committed to ensuring animal well-being while producers meet the growing demand for protein around the world,” said Metti Richenhagen, Director, AGCO Agriculture Foundation. “G.A.P.’s expertise in animal welfare and food systems, strengthened by our alignment with AGCO’s sustainability commitments, will help farmers in North America enhance their animal welfare practices while improving their profitability.”
The project will create a self-sustaining peer network for producers at G.A.P. project sites and a cost-effective audit model for small-scale production. The team will also initiate supplier-based support for animal welfare and production skills and create a supply chain that supports local communities.
“With G.A.P.’s extensive partner base and network, we are now poised to help small-scale producers overcome the barriers around animal welfare,” said Anne Malleau, Executive Director of G.A.P. “The pandemic has highlighted the interest and demand for local or regional food systems that small-scale producers could engage in. Through this partnership, we want to expand our commitment to continuously improve and drive meaningful change in animal welfare for farm animals.”
