Each spring, millions of U.S. residents observe either the Christian holiday of Easter or the Jewish holiday of Passover, taking the opportunity to combine religious observance with time spent with family and friends. During these holidays, food, drink, and decorations play an important part in maintaining traditions and ensuring that celebrants have a holiday to remember. And whether you're Jewish, Christian, a member of another religion, or not religious at all, voluntary consensus standards will be there to support holiday celebrations of all kinds.
While Passover and Easter differ in many significant ways, both holidays prominently feature eggs. In secular celebrations, the egg looms especially large, inspiring massive Easter egg hunts and the sale of chocolates shaped like eggs to mark the occasion. In Passover celebrations, a hard-boiled egg, known as the beitzah, symbolizes the festival sacrifice at Jerusalem's Holy Temple. ANSI GELPP 0001-2002, Good Environmental Livestock Production Practices (GELPP): Concentrated Livestock Operations - General Site Conditions, provides guidance for all sorts of livestock operations, including egg-laying facilities, with a focus on helping to reduce associated negative environmental impacts. This American National Standard (ANS) was developed by ANSI member and accredited standards developer the National Pork Producers Council. Another standard, ASAE EP270.5 DEC1986 (R2012), Design of Ventilation Systems for Poultry and Livestock Shelters, provides important support for farmers, agricultural engineers, and other professionals. This standard was developed by ANSI-accredited standards developer and organizational member the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).
Celebrate the season however you choose - standards will help keep the spring in your step this holiday weekend and beyond.