Editing Ratite (section)

== Ratites and humans ==
Ratites and humans have had a long relationship starting with the use of the egg for water containers, jewelry, or other art medium. Male ostrich feathers were popular for hats during the 18th century, which led to hunting and sharp declines in populations. Ostrich farming grew out of this need, and humans harvested feathers, hides, eggs, and meat from the ostrich. Emu farming also became popular for similar reasons and for their [[emu oil]]. Rhea feathers are popular for dusters, and eggs and meat are used for chicken and pet feed in South America. Ratite hides are popular for leather products like shoes.<ref name = "Bruning" />

=== United States regulation ===
The USDA's [[Food Safety and Inspection Service]] (FSIS) began a voluntary, fee-for-service ratite inspection program in 1995 to help the fledgling industry improve the marketability of the meat. A provision in the FY2001 USDA appropriations act (P.L. 106–387) amended the [[Poultry Products Inspection Act]] to make federal inspection of ratite meat mandatory as of April 2001 (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.).<ref name = "Womach2005" />