Farmed Animal Watch
August 2,  2001                                                     (To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #20

CONTENTS


1.   12,000 Pigs Perish in Fire
2.   Farmed Animal Watch Editorial
3.   Legislative Notes
4.   Closing in on Cockfighting
5.   Downed Animal Protection Amendment
6.   Action Against New Zealand Sow Stalls
7.   Australian Calves Starved and Left to Die
8.   FMD Spread Feared Deliberate
9.   Manure Management and Moratoriums


1.  12,000 PIGS PERISH IN FIRE
A fire took the lives of 6,500 mature pigs and 5,500 baby pigs at Circle
Four Farms, near Cedar City, Utah, July 29. Company officials euthanized
200 pigs who were injured in the fire. According to the fire chief, most of
the pigs were overcome with smoke before the fire reached them.

The operation, constructed in 1994, consisted of 4 wooden buildings, 3 of
which were destroyed. They were not equipped with sprinkler systems
because, according to the fire chief, desert temperatures drop below
freezing in the evening. It is 40 miles from the nearest fire department.
Firefighters met a "wall of fire" upon arriving, with most of the
destruction having already been done. A security guard was the only person
present when the fire began, which is  believed to have ignited in the
ceiling. Arson has been ruled out and the focus is on wiring or motors.

Circle Four Farms, one of the largest industrial pig operations in the
U.S., is part of Smithfield Foods and markets products under the "Farmer
John" brand name. It has several operations in 2 Utah counties, and
produced 850,000 pigs for slaughter last year. The state has given it
permission to create a landfill on the site to dispose of the bodies. The
company plans to rebuild the farrowing facility on the same location.

http://www.c4farms.com/feedback.htm

"Circle Four Farms Plans a Burial for Pigs Killed in Fire," The Salt Lake
Tribune, Kevin Cantera, July 31, 2001.
http://www.sltrib.com/07312001/utah/utah.htm

"Fire Destroys Hog Farm in Utah," Daily Press, Industry Watch
(Rooster.com), July 31, 2001.
http://rooster.yellowbrix.com/pages/rooster/Story.nsp?story_id=22593420&scategory=Food&ReturnURL=&StoreName=&utype=b&ID=rooster

"Nation: Utah hog farm fire kills thousands of pigs," The Associated Press
(The Nando Times), July 30, 2001.
http://www.nandotimes.com/nation/story/52658p-780306c.html

"Clues Sought in Hog Farm Fire," The Salt Lake Tribune, Jacob Santini,
August 1, 2001.
http://www.sltrib.com/08012001/utah/118276.htm


2.  FARMED ANIMAL WATCH EDITORIAL
Out of a half dozen mainstream articles reviewed for the above story, only
one mentioned concern for the 12,000 victims. The Salt Lake Tribune notes
that PETA charged that the pigs lived and died in inhumane conditions. A
PETA spokesperson was quoted as saying "The terror and pain of 12,000
living beings should haunt you and everyone at Circle Four Farms." A Utah
Department of Agriculture veterinarian commented on the effect the tragedy
might have on pork prices. He is quoted as saying "If all of the lost
animals were adults it could have been devastating" to the market, and, "It
is incredibly unfortunate, [but] if we like eating them, we have to put up
with the risks of raising them." Circle Four Farm spokesperson Brian
Mauldwin stated, "This is catastrophic. It will send a gaping hole through
our production system. It's awful in every way except one, and that is
nobody was injured, thank goodness."

Twelve thousand pigs died a terrifying and painful death. Yet Mr. Mauldwin
laments only the financial loss. His comment exemplifies an agribusiness
mentality which views animals merely as units of economic value. It is
because of this mentality that industry cannot be trusted to regulate
itself regarding animal welfare.

Factory farms, such as Circle Four, are death traps for the animals in
them. Why were these wooden buildings not equipped with sprinkler systems?
Industry continually claims animals are better off in such facilities
because they are climate controlled. The fire chief, however, claimed the
buildings did not have sprinklers because of freezing desert temperatures.
So, were the Circle Four buildings climate controlled or were the pigs
subjected to the heat and cold extremes of the desert? We can be certain
that a school or other building inhabited by people there would be required
to have such a safety feature.

Animals in such facilities have no chance during floods, tornadoes, and
other disasters. They are also doomed in the case of power outages or other
ventilation system failures, and even during heat waves when these systems
prove inadequate. Yet the government and/or insurance often cover the
financial losses, giving operators little incentive to safeguard animals
from such hazards.


3.  LEGISLATIVE NOTES: The Senate resolution to strengthen enforcement of
the Humane Slaughter Act (see issue #18) was passed by the U.S. Senate last
night. Action on the U.S. Senate amendment to prohibit the USDA from
purchasing eggs from force molted hens (see issue #18) has been delayed.

http://www.hsus.org/programs/government/hsares061301.html


4.  CLOSING IN ON COCKFIGHTING
The Senate passed an amendment which bans the interstate transfer of birds
for cockfighting. Federal law prohibits the shipment of animals for
fighting across state lines. However, birds can be shipped to the 3 states
where cockfighting is still legal - New Mexico, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
This gives illegal cockfighters in the other states an excuse for having
the birds. A recent expose of cockfighting in Kentucky shows how popular
and lucrative it is, and how openly it is practiced. Hundreds of people
attended a cockfighting event which had highway signs directing people to
it, while the police seemingly turn a blind eye. Roosters are drugged to
increase their aggression, and have razor-sharp gaffs attached to their
legs. Fights are bloody and can last an hour. The legislation will next
likely be taken up in a House-Senate conference. Oklahoma politicians have
vowed to ensure the legislation doesn't survive.

"Senate Passes Anti-Cockfighting Bill," Associated Press, Frederic J.
Frommer, July 31, 2001.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010731/pl/cockfighting_bill_1.html

"Illegal Cockfighting Probe Ruffles Feathers," WLKY News, John Boel, August
1, 2001
http://www.thelouisvillechannel.com/lou/news/stories/news-89855720010731-180705.html

"Inhofe says he'll work to ensure cockfighting amendment dies in
conference," The Associated Press, August 1, 2001.
Humanelines, The Humane Society of the United States, July 26, 2001.
http://www.hsus.org


5.  DOWNED ANIMAL PROTECTION AMENDMENT
Nonambulatory animals, those who are too ill or injured to stand or walk
unassisted, are referred to by the industry as "downers." S. 267 seeks to
protect these animals from being chained or dragged as they are transported
from stockyard to slaughterplant. A vote on the bill is expected at any
time. Industry claims this matter has largely been resolved through
voluntary guidelines, and that the law is unnecessary and unfair.

Humanelines, The Humane Society of the United States, July 26, 2001.
http://www.hsus.org
"A Downed Animal Act," Lean Trimmings, National Meat Association
(AnimalNet), July 30, 2001.
http://www.nmaonline.org

http://www.plantuoguelph.ca/safefood/archives/animalnet-archives.htm

http://www.nodowners.org


6.  ACTION AGAINST NEW ZEALAND SOW STALLS
Animal advocates in New Zealand are preparing to launch an assault on the
nation's pig industry for refusing to phase out sow stalls. Pig producers
voted to phase the stalls out by 2012 but retain the option of using them
during the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. The SPCA wants the stalls gone by
2006, and is threatening a consumer boycott as one of its biggest campaigns
ever. The 2012 date matches the European Union's planned phase out date,
but activists point to Britain which stopped using the stalls in 1999. The
N.Z. Agriculture Minister stated he believes the stalls could be gone in 5
years. The stalls are still used by 30% of producers, mostly large-scale
operators. Industry cites space and expense, which could lead to the
importation of cheaper pig meat, as reason not to continue use of the
stalls. The SPCA is waiting for the National Animal Welfare Advisory
Committee to release its draft welfare code for pigs before acting. One
activist pledged, "Every part of the pork industry, from farms,
slaughterhouses, wholesalers and supermarkets, will face disruption and
direct action if this cruelty continues."

"Pig farmers feel penned in," The New Zealand Herald, Philippa Stevenson,
July 30, 2001.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz

"Animal Activists Threaten Direct Action if Pork Industry Votes to Continue
Sow Crates," The Newsroom, Wellington Animal Action press release, July 24,
2001.
http://www.newsroom.co.nz/story/56644-33-0.html


7.  AUSTRALIAN CALVES STARVED AND LEFT TO DIE
To maximize milk, Australian farmers induce the premature birth of up to
100,000 calves a year. Cows who don't calve in synch with the herd are
injected with corticosteroid to induce calving. Calves are frequently born
3-10 weeks premature. Those born 4 or more weeks premature will not
survive. Some calves, called "slinks," are killed with a blow to the back
of the head, and are skinned for leather. Australian dairies produces more
than 2 million calves annually, 4.5% of whom are induced. About 1.8 million
calves are used annually in the veal trade, the majority being exported to
the U.S. Most are slaughtered between 5-10 days of age. Welfare advocates
charge that the calves are removed from their mothers too soon for their
immune systems to be functional. Some die in saleyards and others are
starved for the 24 hours before slaughter. One activist is initiating
criminal prosecutions by invoking the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

"Unwanted calves starved or left to die in saleyards," Sydney Morning
Herald, Andrew Stevenson, August 2, 2001.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/0108/02/national/national16.html


8.  FMD SPREAD FEARED DELIBERATE
A government inquiry has been ordered after a British farmer reported
receiving an offer to purchase a dead sheep contaminated with Foot & Mouth
Disease (FMD). Rumors have been circulating for months that isolated
outbreaks of the disease may be due to deliberate infection. Farmers are
feared to be tempted to do this to collect government compensation for
diseased animals, which can amount to double that which a healthy animal
would bring on the open market. A similar situation occurred in Britain in
1972 when deliberate infection of poultry flocks was encouraged during an
eradication campaign against Newcastle disease. More than 3.5 million
animals have been condemned since the beginning of the FMD outbreak. An
average of 4 cases a day are still being reported. The virus replicates
more rapidly in cold temperatures, and experts fear the disease could make
a fierce return if it persists until autumn.

"Fraud Emerges in U.K. Foot-and-Mouth Eradication Program," Daily News, The
Meating Place, Simon Shane, July 31, 2001.
http://www.meatingplace.com

"Fears of deliberate spread of foot and mouth disease," New Scientist, Emma
Young, July 30, 2001.
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99991090

"Animal virus spotlight on farmers," CNN, Avril Stephens, July 31, 2001.
http://europe.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/07/30/britain.sheep/index.html


9.  MANURE MANAGEMENT AND MORATORIUMS
North Carolina again extended a moratorium on the construction of new pig
facilities for 2 years. The initial 2 year moratorium was first imposed in
1997 and has been continually extended. A N.C. Pork Council spokesperson
said industry has little interest in expanding production in the state. A
legislative study on new manure-handling technologies has also been
ordered. In South Carolina, a ban on new pig facilities was not extended
and a ban on lagoons failed. The Indiana Water Pollution Control Board
approved a new confined feeding rule for farmed animals which includes
numerous changes for manure management. Minnesota's feedlot regulations
have also been amended, and the Environmental Quality Board will be
reviewing the permitting of new and expanded operations.

"North Carolina Extends Moratorium Again," National Hog Farmer, Joe
Vansickle, July 15, 2001.
http://industryclick.com/magazinearticle.asp?magazineid=17&releaseid=6836&magazinearticleid=113714&SiteID=5