Farmed Animal Watch
June 15,  2001                                                     (To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #13

CONTENTS

1.    Petition Filed For HSA Enforcement
2.    Fast Food Companies Setting Welfare Agenda
3.    Mad Cow Disease Compared To AIDS, Global Spread Feared
4.    Animal Disease Fears, Blame, And The Criminal Element
5.    Violators Supplying School Lunch Program
6.    Efforts Renewed To Fight The ALF And ELF
7.    New Egg Rules Wont Stop Forced Molting
8.    Food-borne Disease Costs Estimated at $6.9 Billion/Year
9.    Vegetarian "Meat" Markets Fast Growing
10.  "Farming" Alligators to Dispose of Chickens
11.  Leather Hurts
12.  Farmed Animal Well-Being Conference


1.  PETITION FILED FOR HSA ENFORCEMENT
A press conference, held in Washington, D.C. on June 13th, announced the
filing of a petition with the USDA to enforce the federal Humane Slaughter
Act. The federal meat inspectors union joined with the Humane Farming
Association, The Humane Society of the United States, the Animal Welfare
Institute, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Public Citizen,
and 3 other organizations in filing the petition. A union spokesperson said
the meat industry ignores the law with "virtual impunity," and that many
new inspectors are not even aware of the law. The petition calls for
inspectors to be stationed full-time in areas where animals are stunned and
bled, for slaughterlines to be stopped if a violation occurs, and for
whistleblower protection. The meat industry has countered that the law is
enforced and the petition is actually meant to promote vegetarianism and
perpetuate inspectors positions.

"USDA Under Fire for Livestock Law," Associated Press, Philip Brasher, June
13, 2001.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/ap/20010613/pl/usda_slaughterhouses_2.html

"Groups Petition USDA to Enforce Humane Slaughter Act: Action Intended to Stop Ongoing Skinning, Dismembering and Scalding of Conscious Animals", Public Citizen news release, June 13, 2001

http://www.citizen.org/CMEP/rad-food/prhfhumaneslaughter.htm

"Statement of the American Meat Institute on the Petition by Animal Rights
and Labor Groups, AMI press release, June 14, 2001.
http://www.meatami.com/Template.cfm?Section=Current&NavMenuID=274&template=PressReleaseDisplay.cfm&PressReleaseID=515


2.  FAST FOOD COMPANIES SETTING WELFARE AGENDA
Attendees of the "Livestock Care Conference" held in Alberta, Canada on
June 7th were told that fast food companies are quickly setting the agenda
for farmed animal care practices in North America. McDonald's, which has a
staff of trained auditors which inspects the facilities of its suppliers,
is beginning to confer with other fast food companies about industry-wide
initiatives. Janice Swanson, a Kansas State University animal welfare
professor, proposed a third-party audit system for credibility, with audit
results kept private.  David Fraser, a University of British Columbia
animal welfare professor, said Canada has fallen behind Europe in animal
care regulations and support, and has been met by the U.S.

"Fast Food Retailers Take Lead on Farm Animal Care Agenda," Alberta Farm
Animal Care press release, Calgary, Alberta, June 13, 2001.
"Livestock Care Guidelines Integral to Food Quality Assurance," AnimalNet,
June 14, 2001.


3.  MAD COW DISEASE COMPARED TO AIDS, GLOBAL SPREAD FEARED
The potential that cattle and products contaminated with mad cow disease
have been widely distributed is no longer being denied, and the
implications of this were discussed at a 4 day meeting held by United
Nations agencies. Similarities between the disease and AIDS include: no
vaccine, a long incubation period, both are incurable and fatal, and the
initial lack of a diagnostic test (there still is none for mad cow
disease). Also like AIDS, policy decisions must be made before the science
may be available to base these decisions on. Globalization and deregulation
are blamed for the international spread of the disease.  A "second wave" of
the disease is believed to have recently occurred in Eastern Europe caused
by imports other than from the U.K., where it originated. A recent report
for the Canadian government concluded that mad cow disease may already be
incubating in cattle and people there. Critics of existing Canadian
regulations are calling for a ban on cow-based feed to be extended to pigs,
poultry and other animals.

"Experts fear mad cow pandemic," The Ottawa Citizen, Mark Kennedy, June 12,
2001.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/national/010612/5018444.html

"E. Europe Faces Mad Cow Epidemic's Second Wave," Reuters, Elizabeth Piper, June 11, 2001.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/nm/20010611/sc/madcow_czech_britain_dc_1.html


4.  ANIMAL DISEASE FEARS, BLAME, AND THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT
Thousands of English children are feared to be stressed and depressed from
the killing and burning of animals to stop Foot-and-Mouth Disease. U.K.
veterinarians fear that the decimated farmed animal population may cost
them their livelihood. Others fear the loss of veterinarians will
negatively impact animal welfare. Due to expense, farmers had been
consulting with vets less often even before the outbreak, and in the past
20 years the number of government veterinarians has dropped by more than
half. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is calling
for an agricultural inspection system to monitor animal health and welfare.
The June 10th issue of "The Independent" contains an article, said to be
written by a British sheep farmer, which blames farmers and the
agro-chemical industry for the disease and the downfall of the meat
industry. The article relates how animals are overstocked and neglected,
and tells of cattle made to stand hock-deep in frozen mud all winter and
ewes "forced to spend most of the summer trailing 10 kg [22 pounds] of
maggot-infested dung behind them." The author advocates ending government
subsidies and culling bad farmers, noting that increased meat prices will
be beneficial in terms of animal welfare, human health and the environment.
Britain's "Farmers Weekly Interactive" reports that someone is calling
European farmers and offering to infect their animals with Foot-and-Mouth
Disease in exchange for thousands of dollars. Britain's Ministry of
Agriculture fears farmers may be tempted to accept in order to claim
compensation for the animals.

"Farm children hit by stress of foot-and-mouth," The Times, Valerie
Elliott, June 11, 2001.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk
"Vets fear for their future," BBC News, June 10, 2001.
http://news.bbc.co.uk
"Bob Carter: We've brought it on ourselves," Independent, June 10, 2001.
http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?
"Criminals Seize on Europe's FMD Woes," AgWeb News, Darcy Maulsby, June 8,
2001.
http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?file=AgNewsArticle_2001681253_589&newscat=GN


5.  VIOLATORS SUPPLING SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
Meat companies which have committed multiple violations of the clean water,
clean air, worker health and safety, or labor laws, supply millions of
pounds of meat to federal food programs including the nation's School Lunch
Program. Some of the companies have had to recall adulterated product, one
recall involving 2 million pounds of meat intended for the school program.
(The multibillion dollar School Lunch Program, begun in 1946 and run by the
USDA, supplies food to 27 million children daily. Young children, whose
immune systems are not fully developed, are especially at risk from
contaminated food.) The companies include IBP, Tyson, Smithfield, Gold
Kist, and 8 others. A new Sierra Club report, which tells of turkey blood
spills and slaughterplant waste dumped near drinking water, documents the
amount of food sold and money made by 12 companies in the programs, cites
specific violations and recalls, and contains other relevant information.
"Responsible contracting" guidelines announced by President Clinton just
prior to leaving office have been put on hold by the Bush administration.
On a related note, a bipartisan effort is underway to obtain $300 million
in government funds for the Global Food for Education Initiative, an
international school lunch program seen as a way to reduce U.S.
agricultural surpluses.

"Spoiled Lunch: Polluters Profiting from Federal Lunch Programs," Sierra
Club, Scott Dye et al., June 2001.
http://www.sierraclub.org/factoryfarms/report01/
"School Lunch Safety Questioned by Sierra Club but Experts Say Program's
Meat Supply is Safe," WebMD Medical News, Sean Martin, June 11, 2001.
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1728.81342
"Inside Washington," Feedstuffs Magazine, Sally Schuff, June 11, 2001.
http://www.feedstuffs.com


6.  EFFORTS RENEWED TO FIGHT THE ALF AND ELF
Recent attacks on the Michigan State University's Agricultural
Biotechnology Support Project and other research facilities has prompted
new efforts to impede the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and the Earth
Liberation Front (ELF).  H.R. 1847, "The Hands Off Our Kids Act 2001" has
been introduced in Congress which seeks to require the Attorney General to
identify animal rights and environmental groups that recruit juveniles to
engage in violent and illegal activities. It would also enable federal
assistance to be given to programs to educate children about such groups
and to fight their enlistment for illegal activities. Efforts also continue
to increase federal penalties for acts against the research community. FBI
Director Louis Freeh told Senate Committees that the ALF "has become one of
the most active extremist elements in the United States." At a recent
conference on Capitol Hill, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) discussed the ALF
in detail and pledged to continue to try for passage of a bill he'd
previously introduced to fight "eco-terrorism."  Describing it as an
opportunity to be more proactive, Sen. Hatch  said, "With the election of
President George W. Bush, the battle lines are now redrawn."

"Continuing Activist Crimes Attract Increased Scrutiny, Concern," Americans
for Medical Progress news release, June 9, 2001.
http://www.amprogress.org/ab_amp.htm
"Top GOP Senator Warns of Increase in Eco-Terrorism," CNS News, Jim Burns,
June 13, 2001.
http://www.Cnsnews.com


7.  NEW EGG RULES WONT STOP FORCED MOLTING
Salmonella in eggs is thought to cause up to 125,000 illnesses a year, with
1 in 20,000 eggs contaminated with the potentially fatal pathogen. To
reduce this, the FDA is proposing new rules which, for the first time, will
include measures at the production stage.  The rules, which were developed
with input from consumer groups and industry, include annual testing of
chicken facilities and disinfection of them if a flock is found to be
contaminated, "biosecurity" measures such as restricted access to the
birds, and rodent control.  Forced molting, the starving of older hens to
increase their rate of production, will not be prohibited despite research
showing it promotes Salmonella. Instead, eggs will be tested after the molt
and those from contaminated flocks will be pasteurized or otherwise
processed. The agency plans to make the rules available for public comment
by summer's end. Other FDA action will require egg cartons to carry warning
labels stating: "Keep eggs refrigerated, cook egg yolks until firm and cook
food containing eggs thoroughly." The article notes that for the past few
decades, researchers have implicated factory "farms" for increased
Salmonella cases associated with eggs.

"Egg Safety," Associated Press, Philip Brasher, June 10, 2001 (from FSNet,
June 11, 2001).
"Killer Egg Crackdown," The Ottawa Citizen, Joanne Laucius, June 8, 2001,
A1 (from FSNet, June 8, 2001).


8.  FOOD-BORNE DISEASE COSTS ESTIMATED AT $6.9 BILLION/YEAR
The 5 most common types of food-borne pathogens are estimated to cost
nearly $7 billion a year, according to new reports by the USDA's Economic
Research Service (ERS). The agency evaluated the medical costs and lost
productivity caused by Campylobacter, Salmonella, Listeria, E. Coli
O157:H7, and non-O157:H7 shiga-toxic E. coli. An April ERS report indicates
that most food-borne illness costs are not paid for by the food industry,
and these new cost estimates may be used by regulators to determine future
food policy.

"USDA Estimates Food-Borne Disease Costs at $6.9 Billion a Year," Daily
News, The Meating Place, Dan Murphy/Robert White, June 12, 2001.
http://www.mtgplace.com/
"Product Liability and Microbial Foodborne Illness," ERS Agricultural
Economic Report No. 799, Jean Buzby et al., April 2001.
http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications


9.  VEGETARIAN "MEAT" MARKETS FAST GROWING
Sales of meat analogs in Canada are estimated at $1.8 billion per year.
This market is expected to grow an estimated 25-30% annually. Growth is
anticipated to be particularly strong in markets such as the U.S. and
Europe, in response to increased recognition of the health benefits of soy
and concerns about farmed animal disease.

"Yves Veggie Cuisine, the Leading Fresh Meat Analog Company, Merges with
Hain Celestial," Yves Veggie Cuisine press release, Yahoo Financial News,
June 11, 200l.
http://biz.yahoo.com/cnw/010611/yves_veggie_cuisine.html


10.  "FARMING" ALLIGATORS TO DISPOSE OF CHICKENS
Alligator "farming" is being touted as a profitable way of disposing of the
many chickens who die before they reach market weight, without the expense
and pollution otherwise incurred. This article focuses on the largest
(10,000) of Georgia's 9 licensed alligator operations, 7 of which raise the
reptiles to dispose of chickens.  The young animals are kept in darkened
buildings where "A foul odor pervades the air" and "Hundreds and hundreds
of alligators fill every inch of the room." When they reach 4 feet, most of
the alligators are killed for meat and leather. Skins go for $50 to $150,
and the flesh sells for $5 a pound. Interest is said to be growing, and a
resolution was recently passed in South Carolina to study the feasibility
of alligators on poultry farms there.

"Chicken Again? These Gators Get a Steady Diet of Dead Fowl," The Los
Angeles Times, Edith Stanley, A-23, June 10, 2001.
http://www.latimes.com


11.  LEATHER HURTS
A lengthy commentary from the Environment News Service details moral and
environmental problems involved in the production of leather, with
particular focus on the U.S. and India. It notes "The skin of a slaughtered
animal accounts for 55 percent  of the value of the products of that animal
other than meat," and explains that "The meat industry relies on skin sales
to stay in business." Inhumane animal production practices are recounted,
and examples of torturous methods of obtaining leather are given. Also
examined are the detrimental impacts of leather processing  on the
environment and human health. It concludes with a list of additional
resources.

"Skinned is Skinned: There is No Correct Leather," Environment News
Service, Jackie Alan Giuliano, June 2001.
http://ens.lycos.com/ens/jun2001/2001L_06_08g.html


12.  FARMED ANIMAL WELL-BEING CONFERENCE
A special scientific conference addressing welfare concerns regarding
animals raised for food and fiber will be held at the University of
California, Davis from June 28-29, 2001. The 2 day conference will feature
international scientists and is sponsored by Animal Place, the Association
of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, and United Poultry Concerns. Full
registration is $75, and discounts are available.

http://www.avar.org/avar_farmed_animal_conference.html