The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has filed a legal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asserting that the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is “engaging in deceptive advertising related to animal well-being” in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The complaint alleges that NPPC’s public descriptions of its “We Care Initiative” and “Pork Quality Assurance Plus” program have numerous false claims regarding the welfare of pigs.  HSUS said, “The pork industry spends millions misleading the public about its animal welfare record, while allowing pigs to be crammed into tiny gestation crates where they can’t even turn around for months on end. Rather than investing in real animal welfare reforms, the Pork Council is betting the farm on a deceptive PR campaign designed to mislead consumers with false assurances.” 

NPPC in a statement said, “The FTC complaint is the latest attack by animal rights activists on America’s hog farmers, an assault that seems obviously in response to the U.S. pork industry’s strident opposition to congressional legislation that would allow federal bureaucrats to tell farmers how to raise and care for their animals.  NPPC looks forward to the FTC quickly dismissing HSUS’s complaint.  America’s hog farmers are committed to providing humane and compassionate care for their pigs at every stage of life. U.S. hog farmers are the ones who ensure the well-being of their animals and who are dedicated to producing safe, affordable and healthful foods for consumers – using standards and practices that have been designed with input from veterinarians and other animal care experts – not groups that spend well over half of the donations they receive on soliciting more contributions and, apparently, the other portion on suing American farmers.”