The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) works to secure protections for animals in agriculture by engaging with key policymakers at the state, federal and international levels. AWI regularly provides public comments, testimony and similar input to such bodies in furtherance of our mission to reduce animal suffering. Examples of AWI public comments, testimony, rulemaking petitions, complaints, and other input can be found below in downloadable PDF format.
On-Farm Practices
- Letter to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board (August 2021)
- Coalition Letter to Congress on Farm Animal Depopulation Methods (October 2021)
- Comments to APHIS on Proposed Strategic Framework for Surveillance of Zoonotic Disease (October 2021)
- Letter to AVMA Panel on Animal Depopulation (October 2021)
- Comments to Massachusetts Office of Attorney General on Proposed Regulations Implementing the Act to Prevent Cruelty to Farm Animals (August 2021)
- Comments to Where Food Comes From on BeefCARE Standards (April 2021)
- Comments to USDA on Radio Frequency Identification of Cattle and Bison (September 2020)
- Comments to the National Milk Producers Federation on Dairy Animal Care Standards (March 2019)
- Comment to USDA on Branding of Cattle from Mexico Proposed Rule (June 2018)
- Comments to USDA on High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Control (October 2015)
- Comments to Kentucky Department of Agriculture on Proposed Regulations for Farm Animal Care (September 2013)
- Comments to FDA on Draft Guidance for Poultry Outdoor Access (September 2013)
- Comments to USDA on OIE Draft Animal Welfare Guidelines for Dairy Cattle (May 2013)
- Comments to USDA on OIE Draft Animal Welfare Guidelines for Beef Cattle and Chickens (December 2012)
- Comments to Kentucky Livestock Care Standards Commission on Proposed Standards (July 2012)
- Comments to USDA on OIE Draft Animal Welfare Standards for Beef Cattle (December 2011)
- Comments to EPA on CAFO Reporting Proposed Regulation (December 2011)
- Comments to the Alaska State Veterinarian on Proposed Livestock Standards (December 2011)
- Comments to the Alaska State Veterinarian on Proposed Avian Standards (November 2011)
- Comments to the Kentucky Livestock Care Standards Commission on Proposed Standards (October 2011)
- Position Statement on Antibiotic Use in Farm Animals (June 2011)
- Comments to Indiana Board of Animal Health on Care Standards for Livestock and Poultry (June 2011)
- Comments to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board on Beef Cattle (March 2011)
- Comments to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board on Dairy Cattle (February 2011)
- Comments to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board on Sheep (February 2011)
- Comments to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board on Pigs (February 2011)
- Comments to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board on Turkeys (February 2011)
- Comments to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board on Laying Hens (February 2011)
- Comments to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board on Chickens (February 2011)
- Position Statement Against Modified Cages for Laying Hens (July 2010)
- Comments to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board on Euthanasia (June 2010)
- Comments to USDA on Finish Feeding of Ruminants Under National Organic Program (April 2010)
- Comments to USDA on OIE Draft Animal Welfare Guidelines for Broiler Chickens and Beef Cattle (November 2009)
Transport
- Letter to USDA Secretary on International Transport of Farm Animals (August 2021)
- Comments to Hawaii Department of Agriculture on Transport of Animals by Sea (June 2021)
- Comments to DOT on Hours of Service Pilot Program (November 2020)
- Comments to DOT on Electronic Logging Devices for Livestock Transporters (November 2017)
- Comments to USDA on Proposed Live Animal Export Regulation (April 2015)
- Comments to USDA on Proposed Livestock Market Regulation (April 2015)
- Comments to USDA on Proposed Animal Traceability Regulation (December 2011)
- Petition to USDA on Fitness of Exported Animals (February 2011)
- Comments to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board on Nonambulatory Animals (July 2010)
Slaughter
- Letter to USDA on State Prosecution of Cruelty to Birds at Slaughter (September 2021)
- Comments to USDA on Modernization of Swine Slaughter Inspection Proposed Rule (May 2018)
- Comments to USDA on NCC Petition to Increase Line Speeds (December 2017)
- Coalition Comments to USDA on NCC Petition to Increase Line Speeds (September 2017)
- Letter to USDA on Definition of “Offered for Slaughter” for Nonambulatory Cattle (May 2017)
- Comments to USDA on Humane Handling Violations Committed by Non-employees (November 2016)
- Comments to USDA on Requirements for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Veal Calves (August 2015)
- Comments to USDA on Guidelines for Training Carcass Sorters in New Poultry Inspection System (September 2014)
- Petition to USDA to Prohibit the Slaughter of Nonambulatory Disabled Pigs (June 2014)
- Comments to USDA on Humane Slaughter Compliance Guide (December 2013)
- Petition to USDA on Humane Handling of Poultry (December 2013)
- Petition to USDA on Enforcement of the Humane Slaughter Law (May 2013)
- Exhibits to the Petition (May 2013)
- Comments to USDA on Poultry Slaughter Inspection Regulation (May 2012)
- Petition to USDA on Enforcement of the Humane Slaughter Law (August 2010)
- Comments to USDA on Cooperative Interstate Meat Inspection Programs (November 2009)
Marketing
- Follow-up Letter to FTC on Boar’s Head Complaint (December 2021)
- Letter to USDA Deputy Undersecretary on Impact of Deceptive Labeling on Competitive Markets (September 2021)
- Complaint to FTC re Deceptive Advertising on Boar’s Head Simplicity All Natural Turkey Products (February 2021)
- Complaint to FTC re Deceptive Advertising on Boar’s Head Chicken Sausage Products (February 2021)
- Comments to USDA on Expansion of Generic Label Approval (November 2020)
- Comments to USDA on Free Range Claim (February 2020)
- Comments to USDA on Meal Kit Labeling Guideline (September 2019)
- Comments to USDA on Label Approval Process for Animal Raising Claims (December 2016)
- Comments to FDA on Use of the "Natural" Claim (May 2016)
- Rulemaking Petition to USDA for Clarification of the Free Range Claim (January 2016)
- Rulemaking Petition to USDA for Third - Party Certification for the Approval of Animal Welfare and Environmental Stewardship Claims (May 2014)
- Comments to USDA on Use of the Voluntary "Natural" Claim on Meat & Poultry (November 2009)
- Comments to USDA on Animal Raising Claims (March 2003)
Miscellaneous
- Comments to USDA on Recommendations for Strengthening the Food Supply Chain (June 2021)
- Comments to USDA on Feral Swine Supplemental EA (April 2021)
- Comments to USDA on Regulatory Framework for Genetic Engineering of Farm Animals (February 2021)
- Comments to USDA on Origin of Organic Livestock Proposed Rule (November 2019)
- Comment to USDA on FOIA Proposed Rule (August 2018)
- Comments to USDA on Proposed Withdrawal of Animal Welfare Rule Under National Organic Program (January 2018)
- Coalition Comments to USDA on Proposed Withdrawal of Animal Welfare Rule Under National Organic Program (January 2018)
- Comments to USDA on Second Proposed Rule for Animal Welfare Under National Organic Program (June 2017)
- Comments to USDA on Proposed Rule for Animal Welfare Under National Organic Program (July 2016)
- Coalition comments to USDA on Proposed Rule for Animal Welfare Under National Organic Program (July 2016)
- Comments on NFPA Fire Safety Standards for Animal Housing Facilities (June 2016)
- Letter to National Organic Standards Board on Growth Rates in Birds (April 2015)
- Letter to National Organic Program on Animal Welfare Standards (March 2015)
- Comments to the USDA on OIE Draft Chapter for Working Equines (December 2014)
- Comments on NFPA Fire Safety Standards for Animal Housing Facilities (May 2014)
- Comments on US-EU Trade Agreement (May 2013)
- Comments to FDA on GE Salmon (April 2013)
- Letter to Congress on GE Salmon (April 2013)
- Comments to USDA on Animal Welfare Standards Under National Organic Program (May 2012)
- Comments to USDA on Animal Welfare Standards Under National Organic Program (November 2011)
- Comments to USDA on Animal Welfare Standards Under National Organic Program (April 2011)
- Comments to USDA on Animal Handling, Transport and Slaughter Under National Organic Program (April 2011)
- Comments to USDA on Animal Welfare Standards Under National Organic Program (October 2010)