In a recent development, Mike Dunn, the proprietor of Wormuth Farm in Sussex County, NJ, has expressed reservations regarding Perdue Farms’ petition seeking to redefine the criteria for labeling poultry as “pasture raised.” As a fervent advocate for the integrity of pasture-raised farming, Dunn believes that maintaining the authenticity of this practice is paramount.
While acknowledging the necessity of distinguishing between “free range” and “pasture raised,” Dunn has articulated several issues with Perdue’s proposed alterations. He contends that the suggested requirement of 51% rooted-in-soil vegetative cover and allowing poultry to spend up to four weeks in a brooder significantly deviate from the genuine essence of “pasture raised.”
Expressing concerns about potential repercussions on the welfare of the birds, Dunn believes that the proposed standards could compromise the quality of life for the poultry. He particularly highlights the 51% vegetative cover standard, arguing that it might result in lower quality and less nutritious ground for the poultry, ultimately impacting the nutritional value of pasture-raised products. Dunn emphasizes that sharing the “pasture raised” label with poultry adhering to lower standards could mislead consumers and undermine the significance of the label.
Furthermore, Dunn suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be suitable for the diverse farming practices across the nation. While he supports Perdue’s goal to clarify consumer confusion, he cautions that the proposed method risks compromising the core values of what “pasture raised” represents.
