Farmed Animal Watch - November 9, 2001

Farmed Animal Watch
A Project of Animal Place

November 9, 2001 (To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #39

CONTENTS 1. USDA Hiring Vets to Enforce "Humane Slaughter Act" 2. Airlines Forced to Carry Chicks as Regular Mail 3. Florida Supreme Court Considering Gestation Crate Ballot 4. Industry Voices Call for High Welfare Standards in Global Trade 5. Foiling and Exploiting Bovine Nursing Instincts 6. It Had to Be Ewe 7. The Drugging of Show Animals 8. Government Farm Subsidy Records Available by Internet 9. Animal Antibiotic Article 1. USDA HIRING VETS TO ENFORCE "HUMANE SLAUGHTER ACT" The government is hiring 17 veterinarians to monitor the treatment of animals at 2,000 slaughterplants. The move is in response to cruelty accusations by the fast-food industry and the animal protection community [the latter of which publicized documentation of such abuse]. The USDA denies there are widespread violations of the "Humane Slaughter Act" but is creating an electronic database to track violations. The agency hadn't been tracking records of violations, which instead are now only kept on paper inside the plants. The vets will also help monitor for animal diseases, such as "Mad Cow Disease." The meat inspectors union had also accused the industry of ignoring the anti-cruelty law. It dismisses the vets as "bureaucrats," and instead wants inspectors stationed full-time in areas where animals are stunned and bled. A PETA spokesperson asserts that the USDA should be enforcing the law "with unannounced inspections by a force of inspectors whose sole duty is to enforce the act." A meat industry spokesperson declared, "Our members have been so conscientious about animal welfare that we are not especially concerned about additional oversight." "USDA To Enforce Humane Meat Plant Laws," Associated Press, Philip Brasher, November 2, 2001. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/ap/20011102/pl/slaughterhouses_2.html 2. AIRLINES FORCED TO CARRY CHICKS AS REGULAR MAIL Last week, Congress gave the U.S. Postal Service the power to force airlines to carry day-old birds and other live animals as regular airmail. Northwest Airlines had announced it would no longer carry the birds, citing animal welfare concerns (see issue #31). The carrier said that, on some flights, between 60-80% of chicks perished due to temperature extremes or poor packaging. Northwest requested a tripling of the amount it had been charging to cover the costs of adequately caring for the chicks. It also wanted the ability to refuse any animal shipment it deemed could not "be transported in a safe and humane manner." Mid-west hatcheries inundated Congress with 9,000 letters of complaint. On November 1st, the Senate passed a bill which requires any airline to carry live animals as allowed by postal regulations unless they "commonly and regularly refuse to accept any live animals as cargo." The bill, which is now headed to the President's desk, allows the Postal Service to levy a surcharge to help airlines cover the costs of shipping live animals. This mandate will be effective until June 30, 2002. Hatchery operators intend to make it permanent. "Lawmakers Pass Bill Forcing Airlines to Transport Chicks at Bargain Prices," The Wall Street Journal, Devon Spurgeon and Stephen Power, November 7, 2001. http://www.wsj.com Humanelines, The Humane Society of the United States, Issue #169, November 7, 2001. http://www.hsus.org/programs/government/humanelines.html 3. FLORIDA SUPREME COURT CONSIDERING GESTATION CRATE BALLOT Proponents of a ban on the use of gestation crates for pigs in Florida appeared before the state Supreme Court on Nov. 5th to ask its approval of a ballot initiative (see issue #16). Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Stephen H. Grimes explained that the measure was needed after the legislature defeated a bill to protect the pigs. Floridians for Humane Farms collected 200,000 of the 490,000 signatures it needs to put the proposal on the 2002 ballot. No one opposed the initiative at the hearing, and the court took the matter into consideration without comment. Confining pigs in crates is not common in Florida, but the measure is said to be intended to keep confinement pig farming out of the state. An HSUS spokesperson later explained at a news conference that pregnant pigs are forced to spend virtually their entire lives in crates too small to turn around in, and exhibit abnormal behaviors. Florida farmers argue that the pigs don't suffer in the crates and that Florida environmental laws are discouragement enough for corporate farmers. "Florida Justices Consider Better Treatment for Pregnant Pigs," Associated Press, November 5, 2001. http://ap.tbo.com/ap/florida/MGAJBZZQOTC.html "Court ponders amendment to free sows," Jacksonville Times-Union, Thomas B. Pfankuch, Nov. 6, 2001. http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/110601/met_sownew.html Floridians for Humane Farms http://www.BanCruelFarms.org 4. INDUSTRY VOICES CALL FOR HIGH WELFARE STANDARDS IN GLOBAL TRADE The British Poultry Council, an industry organization, warns that high standards of quality, animal welfare and food safety must be the aim of European negotiators at the upcoming World Trade Organization talks or the industry could be devastated by cheap, low quality imports. A spokesperson said that country's exporting to Europe should be encouraged to improve their standards, and high domestic standards must not be undermined for the sake of free trade. Steve Bjerklie, of Meat Processing Magazine, illustrates the dangers of free trade with a grim example of a production disease that is besieging the salmon industry. He explains that "under free trade, economic policy is enslaved to the dogma of economic efficiency. That is a formula to turn every product into a commodity," and further states, "Producing the most for the least isn't always the best, it's just the cheapest." He rounds out his case by noting how the drive for efficiency has led to gross manipulations of natural conditions for animals, causing disease and environmental degradation. Bjerklie warns "The farther we remove our livestock, whether fish, fowl, or beast, from what they are genetically designed to accommodate and accomplish, the more trouble we incur." In the New Zealand Herald, a dairy farmer explains why global trade calls for an adherence to high welfare and environmental standards. He predicts that animal-friendly practices will become an integral part of the national dairy industry's image. The N.Z. Dairy Board has indicated that farmers will be expected to comply with 5 animal welfare areas and 6 environmental issues. Pending animal welfare legislation will include the "five freedoms....freedom from hunger and thirst; discomfort, pain and injury; disease, fear and distress; and freedom to express normal behaviour." The farmer notes that tail docking and the induction of late-calving cows are already viewed as unsustainable. Chronic lameness, high mortality and wastage, and the lack of shade and shelter are looming consumer concerns. A subsequent Herald article notes that, while tail docking is declining in N.Z., it is on the increase in other countries. Bobby calves (calves a few days old, often sold for veal) are also discussed. These calves must be 4 days old before leaving their place of origin, and there are transport and feeding provisions aimed at preventing their physical exhaustion. "Warning over WTO Negotiations," Meat News, October 30, 2001. http://www.meatnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Article&artNum=2034 "Farming Salmon, Counting Sheep," Cut to the Chase, Steve Bjerklie, Meat Processing Magazine. http://www.meatnews.com/mp/northamerican/chase-na.cfm "Dialogue: Getting seriously green," The New Zealand Herald, Graham McBride, October 31, 2001. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storyprint.cfm?storyID=224907 "Rural delivery: Caring for cows more than just kindness," The New Zealand Herald, November 8, 2001. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=business&thesubsection=&storyID=226613 5. FOILING AND EXPLOITING BOVINE NURSING INSTINCTS Canadian researchers are experimenting with a device which will prevent calves from being able to nurse. The metal or nylon device is attached to the tissue between the calf's nostrils and tightened into place with a wing nut tensioner or a spring load. Some have thorns or barbs, the more "aggressive" models "theoretically" cause the cow discomfort when her calf attempts to suckle. Lead researcher, Joe Stookey, said the barbs probably aren't necessary. The device is reportedly more effective than the common method of separating cow and calf through a fence. Dr. Stookey marveled, "The calf will stand under the cow and the cow will present for the calf, and they will stand there for a long time, but no suckling takes place." Calves can be weaned as soon as 4 days after being fitted with the device. Results of the device study are expected in 2002. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of California are attempting to increase milk production by playing the taped sounds of hungry calves to cows. "It makes sense that cows would respond to hungry calves wanting milk," one researcher observed. Similar studies were conducted 30 years ago but not completed. The current study has found that milk production increased 1-3% for about 60% of cows who were exposed to the calls. The researchers also want to know if the cows will habituate to the sounds and, if so, whether calls from different calves will restimulate them. They also plan to test the calls of calves of different ages. "Device offers stress-free weaning for calf, producer," Western Producer, Michael Raine, November 5, 2001. http://www.producer.com/articles/20011101/livestock/20011101ls03.html "Calf Calls Increase Cows' Milk Production," AgWeb News, Darcy Maulsby, November 6, 2001. http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?file=AgNewsArticle_20011161730_359&articleid=81223&newscat=GN 6. IT HAD TO BE EWE British scientists have found that sheep are able to correctly recognize at least 50 different sheep faces and profiles, and remember them for over 2 years. Preliminary evidence suggests sheep may also be able to form mental images of absent sheep. Lead researcher Keith Kendrick contends, "If sheep have such sophisticated facial recognition skills, they must have much greater social requirements than we thought." The sheep were also able to retain memories of familiar people. It is thought that other species with keen vision, including cows, horses and monkeys, likely also have the same ability. Kendrick said his studies prove the intellect of sheep should not be overlooked. The study is reported in this week's issue of "Nature." "Sheep are Highly Adept at Recognizing Faces, Study Shows," National Geographic News, Bijal P. Trivedi, November 7, 2001. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/11/1107_TVsheep.html "That Face: Sheep, People Recognize Faces in Similar Ways," abc News, Amanda Onion, November 7, 2001. http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/DailyNews/sheep011107.html "Sheep don't forget a face," Nature, Keith Kendrick et al., November 8, 2001. http://www.nature.com 7. THE DRUGGING OF SHOW ANIMALS The USDA has issued a notice on drug testing of farmed animals exhibited at shows and fairs. It explains that drugs are "allegedly" administered to show animals to increase their muscle mass. It notes that "slaughter classes" in which illegal drug administration is a problem include steers, heifers, pigs, sheep and lambs. The notice is in response to "incidence reports" it has received. It instructs Veterinary Medical Officers at slaughterplants to randomly test animals who appear healthy and all show animals who appear unhealthy. An editorial in the New York Times condemns "competitive doping," and notes many different types of animals subjected to it. "Residue Testing of Show Animals," FSIS Notice 45-01, October 10, 2001. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/45-01.htm "All Creatures Great and High," The New York Times, Douglas Martin, October 28, 2001. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/28/weekinreview/28BOXB.html 8. GOVERNMENT FARM SUBSIDY RECORDS AVAILABLE BY INTERNET The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is making a searchable Internet database of government farm subsidy payment records freely available to the public. The database was compiled from 70 million records of farm subsidy checks sent between 1996-2000, which EWG obtained through multiple Freedom of Information requests. It can be searched by name, zip code, county or municipality. Nationwide, two-thirds of the subsidy funds went to about 10% of eligible recipients, including some of the largest corporate agribusinesses. A House bill passed in October would expand the programs for another 10 years. The Senate bill is being considered this week. It could commit $170 billion to be spent on subsidies over the next decade. "Searchable Government Farm Subsidy Records Available To Public On Tuesday, November 6," Environmental Working Group press release, November 5, 2001. http://www.ewg.org/farm/ 9. ANIMAL ANTIBIOTIC ARTICLE A lengthy article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examines the debate on antibiotic-resistant bacteria that may be caused by the subtherapeutic use of antibiotics in farmed animals. "The perils of animal antibiotics," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, John Fauber, November 3, 2001. http://www.jsonline.com/alive/news/nov01/anti04110301.asp