USPOULTRY has released the second edition of its North America Commercial Waterfowl Animal Welfare Guidelines for Ducks and Geese, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to sustainable duck population management and effective conservation practices. To protect both wildlife and industry interests, the USPOULTRY Duck Council reviews and updates these guidelines every two years.

The updated edition outlines recommended practices in four key areas: food safety, animal welfare, environmental stewardship and biosecurity. While not intended as a comprehensive animal well-being manual, these guidelines are designed to be adaptable across diverse production systems and industry scenarios.

The Duck Council is composed of member companies dedicated to producing and processing premium duck and goose products. Serving as a unified voice for the industry, the Council works to establish best practices, address regulatory matters, and, when needed, sponsor research aimed at expanding duck and goose consumption. These efforts also drive innovation and continuous improvement in both live production and processing technologies.

“Regularly updating our guidelines ensures that we are not only safeguarding the health and sustainability of duck production, but also supporting the industry with the latest best practices,” said Drey Frey, chair of the Council. “By working together as a council, we can address emerging challenges, adapt to evolving science and strengthen our commitment to the industry.”

If you have any questions, comments or wish to request the guidelines found here, please direct them to Matt Spencer, vice president of human resources and safety, at mspencer@uspoultry.org or 678.514.1982.