Global Animal Partnership Step 4: Dairy
The GAP label program offers 6 levels of certification primarily for animal welfare. Animals are also not fed drugs on a routine basis at all levels. There is a big difference between GAP 1 and GAP 5+ levels. GAP 4 starts to include pasture-based systems and incorporates more robust animal welfare standards than GAP 1 or GAP 2.
Requires Verification/Inspection
FoodPrint Label Criteria
Animal Feed Quality
Produced without industrial pesticides
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited
All grass fed
Prohibits animal waste and byproduct
Restricts use of feed supplements
Prohibits GMOs
Drug Use
Antibiotics only for sick animals or prohibited
Prohibit hormones and other drugs to healthy animals
Environmental and Pasture Quality
Pasture management / rotational grazing plan required
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited
Grown without industrial pesticides
Biodiversity required in pasture
Soil health monitored/measured for improvement over time
Animal Welfare and Living Conditions
Prohibits feedlots
Prohibits long term confinement
Prohibits electric prods*
Hygiene and manure management addressed
Pain relief for castration
Prohibits dehorning**
Taildocking prohibited
Standards for animal wellbeing in transport including maximum duration times
Welfare standards for slaughtering addressed***
Pasture required throughout grazing/growing season
*Discouraged but can be used as a last resort
**No but pain management required
***Is verified to meet industry baseline requirements
Worker Welfare
Standards and protections for workers on farm
Standards and protections for workers in processing plants
Fair/living wages ensured
Health care insurance ensured
Food Label Glossary
For explanations of some of these technical terms, like “rotational grazing” or “sewage sludge fertilizers,” please visit our glossary.