Farmed Animal Watch
August 4, 2001                                                     (To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #21

CONTENTS

1.  Cockfighting Legislation Unsuccessful But Support Grows
2.  Forced Molting Subject of Syndicated News Article
3.  "Cesspools of Shame"
4.  Farmed Fish a Threat to Wild Ones
5.  Agricultural Practices Noted as Defense for Assault
6.  More on Meat Workers
7.  Horse Meat Considered
8.  Tastier Soybeans


1.  COCKFIGHTING LEGISLATION UNSUCCESSFUL BUT SUPPORT GROWS
The Senate bill with an anti-cockfighting amendment (see issue #20) was
unsuccessful. However, the amendment received a great deal of support, and
plans are to attach it to the next relevant piece of legislation. The issue
has received substantial media attention. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)'s support
of the amendment was the subject of a New York Post article. An Amarillo
Globe-News editorial ridicules cockfighting proponents for primarily being
interested in the illegal gambling aspect of the cruel "sport."

"Hill's Cockfight Bill Passes Easily," New York Post, Vincent Morris,
August 1, 2001.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08012001/news/nationalnews/36411.htm

"Editorial: Cockfighting proponents gamble with real issue," Amarillo
Globe-News, August 3, 2001.
http://amarillonet.com/stories/080301/opi_cockfighting.shtml


2.  FORCED MOLTING SUBJECT OF SYNDICATED NEWS ARTICLE
A Scripps Howard News Service article explains the common industry practice
of force molting egg-laying hens to increase production. It details the
procedure, which entails depriving the birds of food, for days or weeks, to
speed them into a new production cycle. An estimated 75% of the 260 million
U.S. egg-laying hens are force molted. One poultry researcher claims the
practice doesn't harm the birds, another say it is cruel and unnecessary.
Though the practice causes 1-3% of the birds to die, the American
Veterinary Medical Association approves of it.

"Egg biz under fire for 'forced molting'" Scripps Howard News Service
(Philadelphia Daily News), August 3, 2001.
http://dailynews.philly.com/content/daily_news/2001/08/03/national/WIRH03W.htm


3.  "CESSPOOLS OF SHAME"
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Clean Water Network
are calling on the government to phase out manure lagoons at pig, dairy and
egg facilities. "Cesspools of Shame" is the title of a newly released joint
report which explains the threat these lagoons pose to humans and other
animals. Lagoon and sprayfield wastewater containing viruses, bacteria,
antibiotics, metals, oxygen-depleting substances and other toxins run off
the land, contaminate the groundwater, and pollute the atmosphere. Lagoons
owned by Smithfield Foods, Premium Standard Farms and Seaboard Farms have
broken, failed and overflowed, resulting in fish kills and contaminated
drinking water. The EPA's proposed technology regulations will allow
thousands of facilities to continue storing liquid manure in lagoons the
size of several football fields, and will also permit new facilities to use
lagoons.

Meat industry commentator Dan Murphy agrees that the lagoon system should
go, and relates driving for hours with the inescapable "ammonia-laden smell
of mountains of manure" in his nostrils.

"Cesspools of Shame: How Factory Farm Lagoons and Sprayfields Threaten
Environmental and Public Health," July 2001.
http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/cesspools/cessinx.asp

"Environmental Groups Call for Ban on Lagoons," AgWeb News, Darcy Maulsby,
July 24, 2001.
http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?file=AgNewsArticle_20017241732_69&articleID=77595&newscat=GN

"Cattle Battle Chance for Meat Industry to end Mud-Slinging," Daily News,
Meating Place, Dan Murphy, August 3, 2001.
http://www.meatingplace.com


4.  FARMED FISH A THREAT TO WILD ONES
The number of farmed fish produced globally doubled between 1989 and 1998.
One out of every 3 fish consumed by humans is farmed. In the U.S.,
aquaculture is the source of nearly all catfish and trout and half of all
shrimp and salmon. Fish farming spreads disease and causes pollution.
Biologists also fear that Atlantic salmon who escape from farms endanger
Alaskan wild salmon with parasites and disease, and through interbreeding
and resource competition. Farmed salmon have higher concentrations of fat
and toxins, and some have been genetically engineered to grow 4 times
faster than normal. Alaska outlawed salmon farms in 1990, but aquaculture
is booming in Washington and British Columbia. Last year, 13,000 Atlantic
salmon escaped from a B.C. farm. The Pew Oceans Commission has released a
report on the issue with recommendations for the U.S.

"Fish farming spurs concerns," Scripps-McClatchy Western Service, Paula
Dobbyn, August 1, 2001.
"Frankenfish open a can of worries," The Toronto Star, Peter Calamai, July
21, 2001.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=995580122669&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News

"Toxins, fat content higher in farmed salmon, studies say," The Vancouver
Sun, Yvonne Zacharias, July 21, 2001.
http://www.vancouversun.com


5.  AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES NOTED AS DEFENSE FOR ASSAULT
A Maryland man was found guilty of viciously assaulting his family dog. He
is appealing the conviction on the grounds that people are allowed to kill
animals considered their property if the intent is to kill rather than be
cruel. The man attempted to kill the springer-setter dog by slitting his
throat, breaking his neck, and repeatedly stabbing him in the head. His
lawyer argued "The judge's decision was based on suburban standards, not
rural standards....As any farmer knows, it happens every day to pigs,
sheep, goats, chickens they usually just wring their necks. People are not
punished for doing these things."

In another instance, a Canadian woman was found guilty of castrating her
cat without anesthesia. An SPCA spokesperson said, "You can just imagine
the pain and suffering this poor animal had to go through. [He] was fully
conscious when the home neutering was done." The woman had prior experience
with the procedure from working at a pig farm.

"Father appeals cruelty-to-animal conviction," The Washington Times, Gus
Taylor, July 30, 2001.
http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20010730-81096021.htm

"Woman fined for neutering cat at home," Canadian Press (Canoe), July 26, 2001.
http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWSWeirdNews0107/26_cat-cp.html


6.  MORE ON MEAT WORKERS
Two articles further discuss "Fast Food Nation," the Eric Schlosser book
excerpted in Mother Jones Magazine (see issue #17). Industry's response is
the subject of one, and immigration policy the subject of the other which
suggests that agricultural workers be covered by the National Labor
Relations Act to at least allow them to make minimum wage.

"Meat Industry Workers at Risk on Job," Reuters, Sherwood Ross, July 28, 2001.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com

"Meatpacking and the Making of Immigration Policy," Star-Telegram, Molly
Ivins, July 25, 2001.
http://web.star-telegram.com/content/fortworth/2001/08/01/columnist/1955823089.htm?template=articleTemplateID.htm


7.  HORSE MEAT CONSIDERED
An article in Meat Marketing Technology Magazine examines the viability of
marketing horse meat in the U.S. It notes that horse meat was more widely
consumed here during the Great Depression, World War II, and in 1974 when
beef prices were high. Between 1994 and 2000, horse meat exports to Europe
rose from 109,353 pounds to 215,000 pounds. The taste and nutrient value of
horse meat and beef are compared, and the author concludes: "So on paper,
horse meat appears to be a viable substitute for beef. But on the plate?"

"Horsemeat: yea or neigh?"The Way it Was, Meat Marketing and Technology,
June 2001.
http://www.meatingplace.com


8.  TASTIER SOYBEANS
Ohio State University researchers are experimenting with edamame
(ed-ah-mah-may), a type of soybean that is sweeter and milder than
traditional soybeans. In Asia it is served by itself as a snack, and can be
used in salads, soups, etc. It is also more readily digestible, has more
protein, and is a good source of calcium and vitamins A and B. It is rarely
grown in the U.S., but the scientists are looking at the prospects of
producing it on a wider scale here.

"Edible soybean could give new meaning to 'soymeal,'" Ag Answers, Ohio
State University, August 3, 2001.
http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/aganswers/2001/8-3_Edible_Soybean.html