FarmedAnimalWatch
April 19, 2001 (To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #2
CONTENTS
1. Inhumane Slaughter Expose
2. Buckeye Cleanup
3. FMD Body Count
4. FMD Would Spread like Wildfire
5. U.S. Reviews Feed Rules
6. Maryland Bans Transgenic Fish
7. Transgenic Fish Exhibit Abnormalities
8. Ethics Matter
9. New Perception of Animal Agriculture Needs Analysis
10. Increasing Agricultural Chemical Threat
11. Bush Criticized on Agricultural Conservation
12. Domestic Animal Food Irradiation Approved
13. Conference
1. INHUMANE SLAUGHTER EXPOSE
The Washington Post ran a 2-part series entitled, "Modern Meat," the first of which focused on E. coli food poisoning, the second, "Brutal Harvest: They Die Piece by Piece" was a graphic look at the slaughter industry. A side story considers the McDonalds developments. The web site features video footage, online discussions with Gail Eisnitz and Temple Grandin, related documents and previous articles.
Washington Post, April 9- 10th, 2001
http://www.hfa.org/hot_topic/wash_post.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60798-2001Apr9.html
2. BUCKEYE `CLEAN UP'
Buckeye Egg Farm in Ohio was hit by a tornado and
environmental fines. One million hens were killed when 20 buildings were
destroyed by the tornado in September, 2000. The operations were also challenged
by the Ohio EPA for fly infestation and water pollution problems. An agreement
has been reached with the state of Ohio which bans flock expansion for 3 years
in one county and 5 years in two other counties. A $1,000,000 fine was also
imposed, to be paid over 6 years. A 5 year rebuilding plan projects placement of
birds in the first house by June.
Egg Industry, February 2001
http://www.wattnet.com
3. BODY COUNT
As of April 17th, there had been a total of 1,352 FMD cases in Great Britain. The number of animals that have been killed total1,127,000, of which 431,000 had yet to be disposed of. An additional 568,000 animals were slated for slaughter. An additional 250,000 sheep had been killed in Cumbria, and 45,000 animals had been killed in Anglesey.
AgWeb News, April 17, 2001
http://www.agweb.com
4. FMD WOULD SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE
Following the first disaster exercise examining how FMD
could be contained were it to occur in the U.S., the USDA acknowledged that all
federal disaster agencies, including the military
would be needed. The USDA director of crisis planning stated that state and
local governments and the USDA would be overwhelmed. Eradication efforts might
also involve wild animals, who could become carriers of the disease.
"Cattle Disease Poses Threat to Run Wild, U.S. Finds," New York Times,
April 17, 2001
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/17/national/17FOOT.htm
"Perspective: Vaccination is Worth the Cost,"
Meatnews.com, April 18, 2001
http://www.meatnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Article&artNum=1018
5. U.S. REVIEWS FEED RULES
The FDA is reportedly reviewing production practices
which may pose a risk of transmitting BSE, including feeding chicken litter to
cattle. Proteins which have been banned in cattle feed due to BSE risks can be
fed to chickens. It is unknown, however, whether the agent which causes the
disease can be recycled through the litter back to cattle who consume it. Also
under consideration is a ban on feeding "plate waste," food originally
intended for human consumption, to cattle due to it containing the banned
proteins.
Reuters, April 17, 2001
AnimalNet
6. MARYLAND BANS TRANSGENIC FISH
In what is believed to be the first such law in the
nation, Maryland has banned genetically altered fish species from free-running
waters in the state. The fish must also be contained so as to
prevent their removal, such as by birds. The sponsor of the law pointed out that
genetically modified salmon in the Pacific Northwest are destroying the native
species there. The aquaculture industry reportedly is agreeable to the law since
most operations are indoor or otherwise totally confined. The law takes effect
October 1 and expires in five years.
"Maryland Bans Genetically Modified Fish," Associated Press, April 12,
2001"Maryland `Hooks' Biotech Fish," Direct Ag, April 17, 2001
http://www.directag.com/directag/news/article.jhtml?article_id=1001396
7. TRANSGENIC FISH EXHIBIT ABNORMALITIES
Fish who have been genetically modified with growth
hormone show growth and developmental abnormalities. Monsanto and a research
team from Fisheries and Oceans Canada conducted a
study which found that both domestic and wild transgenic trout had reduced
viability and cranial abnormalities, and all transgenic domesticated strains
died prior to sexual maturity.
ISB News Report posted to AnimalNet (April 3, 2001)
8. ETHICS MATTER
A recent survey by the Leatherhead Foresight Group
found ethical matters (and food safety) to be among the five most important
issues for the future of the food industry. The survey results are reported in
the March 2001 issue of Egg Industry.
Egg Industry, March 2001
http://www.wattnet.com
9. NEW PERCEPTION OF ANIMAL AGRICULTURE NEEDS ANALYSIS
A paper by Dr. David Fraser comments that the
contemporary debate over the morality of animal agriculture has not been a
productive one for the public's understanding of the issues. He believes
knowledgeable research and analysis is needed to serve as a basis for public
policy and individual choice. Fraser concludes that scientists and ethicists
need to consider these issues as being worthy of impartial investigation and
analysis.
Journal of Animal Science, March 2001
http://www.asas.org/jas/abs/2001/a0130634.htm
10. INCREASING AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL THREAT
Agriculture will be a major cause of global
environmental change over the next 50 years on par with the impacts of
greenhouse gases, according to a study published in the journal
"Science." A predicted human population of 9 billion by 2050 will
double the demand for food, requiring the conversion of a land mass greater than
the U.S. including Alaska. The authors call for the implementation of more
sustainable agricultural practices.
University of California, Santa Barbara press release Science, April 12, 2001
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/04/010415223052.htm
11. BUSH CRITICIZED ON AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION
Environmentalists are criticizing the Bush administration for proposals to eliminate farmer incentive programs to protect water supplies, create wildlife habitat and prevent sprawl. The Environmental Working Group released a statement questioning the president's decision in light of his claim of wanting voluntary, incentive-oriented approaches to environmental problems. The President's 2002 budget calls for decreasing USDA spending by $1.4 billion which would cut 540 department jobs. Emergency spending is also omitted.
Associated Press, April 10, 2001
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010410/pl/budget_farm_1.html
12. DOMESTIC ANIMAL FOOD IRRADIATION APPROVED
The FDA approved the irradiation of dog and cat food,
rawhide chews, dry farmed animal feeds, birdseed and fish food in an attempt to
prevent Salmonella poisoning of animals who consume these products or humans who
handle them. The agency's decision was initiated by the filing of a petition by
IBA, an irradiation technology company.
Yahoo News
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010410/mntu004.html
13. CONFERENCES
ANIMAL WELL-BEING: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES TOWARDS SOLUTIONS Purdue
University's Center for Farm Animal Productivity and Well-Being and the USDA
Agricultural Research Service's Livestock Behavior Research Unit will be holding
the conference, featuring scientists and industry representatives, on April 27th
at the West Lafayette, IN. campus. Registration is $40.
Ag Answers, March 30, 2001
http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/events.htm