Trademarks of the
American Ostrich Association

The trademarks "Certified American Ostrich" and "Genuine American Ostrich Leather" are a Quality Assured Ostrich product based on ostrich that are hatched, raised and processed in the United States of America under specifications established by the AOA. The trademarks are our commitment to producing ostrich which are safe, wholesome, high quality, consistent and produced in an environmentally sound manner. Our goal is to "Establish the Standards" for the highest quality ostrich products.

The Producer

To supply ostrich into the program, producers must be licensed by the American Ostrich Association (AOA) and be members in good standing with the AOA.

1. These birds must be hatched and raised in the USA.

2. The producer is required to have attended the AOA Quality Assurance program or signature verified that they have read the QA Manual in its entirety. The QA producer must keep all records and documentation regarding the transfer of ownership of birds and medications administered while the birds are in this producers care.

3. The producer must practice animal husbandry techniques specified in the Quality Assurance program that ensure superior nutrition, health and environmental conditions for their ostrich.

4. The producer does not use any artificial or chemical growth stimulants.

5. Feed/ rations for these birds (other than forage) must either be designed for ostrich or approved by a board established by the AOA BOD. All licensees must submit either an ingredient label or ingredients of feed used to the board to keep on record. Feed must be free of:
• Stimulant or growth hormones
• Ruminant animals, meat, organs and their products from ruminant animals.
• Meat and bone meal, meat meal, poultry offal meal, feather meal.
• Dry greaves, fishmeal, gelatin and their mixtures.
• Any feed additives must also be free of any substances containing the above listed products and/or any animal by-products.

The Processor / slaughter facility:

The facility used for slaughter purposes must be USDA, FSIS, HAACP approved for ostrich (ratite).

The Meat Supplier:

The meat supplier must also be a member of the AOA in good standing and must be licensed as a CAO supplier with the following conditions:

1. The supplier is required to have attended the AOA Quality Assurance program or have a signature verification that they have read the QA Manual in its entirety. The QA processor must keep all records and documentation regarding the transfer of ownership of birds.

2. The supplier must keep documentation as to ALL birds processed and must differentiate from those that are non-CAO and non-AOA members.

3. All meat labeled as CAO must be from birds that are:
• Source (producer / feedlot) verified from CAO producers.
• Meat and fat visibly should meet the standards set by the AOA Meat Guide and appear as healthy without signs of distress.
• Meat cuts should conform to those established by the AOA Meat Guide

4. The supplier MUST NOT substitute any bird / meat that does not meet the requirements set up by this License.

5. The supplier may be subject to an audit of the program or documentation.

6. Meat cuts should conform to those established by the AOA Meat Guide.

The Leather Supplier:

The leather supplier must also be a member of the AOA in good standing and must be licensed as a GAOL supplier with the following conditions:

1. The supplier is required to have attended the AOA Quality Assurance program or have a signature verification that they have read the QA Manual in its entirety. The QA processor must keep all records and documentation regarding the transfer of ownership of birds.
2. The supplier must keep documentation as to ALL birds processed and must differentiate from those that are non-GAOL and non -AOA members.
3. All leather labeled as GAOL must be from birds that are:
• Source (producer / feedlot) verified.
• The hides should meet the standards set by the AOA Hide Guide and appear as healthy without signs of distress.
• Hides should also conform to the standards established by the AOA Hide Guide.
4. The supplier MUST NOT substitute any bird / hide that does not meet the requirements set up by this License.
5. The supplier may be subject to an audit of the program or documentation.

Please feel free to contact the AOA with any questions you might have.