MANHEIM, Pa.– Just days after The Humane Society of the United States’ (HSUS) accusations against Kreider Farms, The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Secretary George Greig released the following statement:
“The state veterinarian visited and inspected the entire Kreider Farms Manheim facility on two occasions over the past three days. All practices, procedures and conditions that our veterinarian observed were consistent with industry best practices. Kreider Farms has passed every state inspection over the past five years, showing high and consistent standards of flock health management, above PEQAP standards.”
Ron Kreider, President and CEO, and Kreider Farms’ third-generation family leader stated:
“Inspections from state and third-party experts returned glowing reports of our current facilities. Additionally, these comprehensive audits recognized our excellent ratings over the past five years. There is zero evidence of any type of animal abuse or food safety concern at Kreider Farms.
“These results confirm what we’ve maintained since the beginning: The allegations by HSUS are unfounded – completely untrue. Our chicken houses are and have been professionally managed at the highest levels, and our birds are well-cared for, healthy and active.
“HSUS’s video demonstrates no connection to Kreider Farms – it could have been taped at any chicken house. The day these allegations broke, we welcomed television cameras immediately inside our chicken houses. Viewers observed that conditions in our facilities bear no resemblance to the HSUS video. Consumers should question how these videos were shot, edited and assembled.
“It is not a coincidence that this video release coincides with the political debate over egg production standards. We believe HSUS is targeting farms not affiliated with the United Egg Producers (UEP), its partner in petitioning for new standards. Kreider Farms is not a member of UEP, but we are in good standing with the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. We fully support such legislation, contrary to HSUS claims. More than 80 percent of our birds are already housed in state-of-the-art facilities – we would have the least to do to comply.
“Kreider Farms is one of the most highly respected, progressive egg companies in the U.S. My grandparents founded Kreider Farms in 1935. Today our family continues the mission of delivering high-quality products; to be good stewards of the land; and to operate clean, efficient, modern facilities.”
Source: Kreider Farms