Farmed Animal Watch
A Project of Animal Place

November 19, 2001                                                     (To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #42

CONTENTS

1. Latest WTO Agreement Favorable for Animals
2. Senate Ag Committee Approves 2 Animal Protection Measures
3. Lead Shot in Cattle
4. Assault on Cows Deemed Terrorism
5. First New Cow Slaughter Plants in 40+ Years to Open
6. China to Expand Sheep Production
7. Website Spotlight: FARM Information Archives


1.  LATEST WTO AGREEMENT FAVORABLE FOR ANIMALS
European animal protection organizations welcome the recent World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement as a step forward for farmed animal welfare. The agricultural text facilitates future discussion of non trade concerns, including animal welfare and compensation payments for the extra costs of higher welfare standards. A spokesperson for Eurogroup for Animal Welfare asserts that improving farmed animal welfare without becoming uncompetitive in the global market should be possible. Negotiators will also be able to discuss phasing out export subsidies. These subsidies can promote animal cruelty by encouraging overproduction and transportation of live animals from Europe. The European Parliament recently voted to stop export subsidies for the transport of live animals, and Germany proposed a similar ban.

“WTO to negotiate on animal welfare in new trade talks,” Eurogroup news release, November 14, 2001.
http://www.eurogroupanimalwelfare.org/press23.htm


2.  SENATE AG COMMITTEE APPROVES 2 ANIMAL PROTECTION MEASURES
On November 15, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved two two animal protection measures in S. 1628, the Senate version of the farm bill. One measure addresses the marketing of nonambulatory animals. The other measure bans the shipment of birds for fighting and the export of fighting birds or dogs. This provision doubles current jail time and triples fines for violations of the animal fighting section of the Animal Welfare Act. The Humane Society of the United States and Farm Sanctuary collaborated on these legislative efforts. The bill has yet to go before the full Senate for a vote.

“Ag Committee Approves Anti-Animal Fighting Measures,” U.S. Newswire, November 15, 2001.
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1115-149.html


3.  LEAD SHOT IN CATTLE
Finding lead shot in cattle is common. [In addition to injury and suffering to cattle,] this poisonous metal poses serious health consequences to human consumers. Cattle are shot by hunters, horseback riders “defending themselves from dangerous livestock,” or by ranchers. The National Meat Association (NMA) is urging the cattle industry to address this issue at an upcoming Convention, noting that “While the beef industry has limited control over myopic hunters, it can implement training programs that educate ranchers and ranching communities on the destructive and costly consequences of using lead-based shot, or any shot on cattle.”

“Lead Shot a Growing Concern,” FSNet, November 12, 2001.


4.  ASSAULT ON COWS DEEMED TERRORISM
A brutal assault on 20 cows is being called “an act of terrorism.” The cows, part of a herd of 75, were attacked on a Canfield, Ohio farm owned by the Moff family. They were beaten by 3 teenagers with a baseball bat, a folding chair and fluorescent light bulbs. Many were badly beaten and suffered “cuts, contusions and severe mental anxiety.” The teens, who have been in trouble with the law before, claimed they beat the cows out of fear that they were going to be chased by them. They have been charged with felony vandalism and trespassing. The state of Ohio will try them Jan. 11th, 2002. They face up to 6 months in jail or a fine of up to $2,000. The Moff family is working to help strengthen the state’s “slack” anti-animal cruelty laws.

The once-placid cows have recovered physically but continue to exhibit fearfulness. The farm’s milk production “plunged” after the attack. A Moff family member stated, “These are our cows but they are also part of the familyÿ.What happened to them is like having someone beat up a family member.” The attack happened in the middle of the night, 500 feet from the Moff’s house.

“Dairy Owner Shares Story of Animal Abuse,” AgWeb News, Darcy Maulsby, November 9, 2001.
http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?articleID=81347&newscat=GN


5.  FIRST NEW COW SLAUGHTER PLANTS IN 40+ YEARS TO OPEN
Two new slaughterplants are slated to open, each killing 1,000 cows a day. Cattle Buyers Weekly reports that they are the first new plants to do so in at least 40 years. One is planned for northern Mississippi, the other in central California.

“More New Beef Plants Planned,” Lean Trimmings, National Meat Association, Jeremy Russell, November 5, 2001.
http://www.nmaonline.org/files/1t11.5.01.htm


6.  CHINA TO EXPAND SHEEP PRODUCTION
Chinese authorities have announced a 5-year plan to open a cashmere production and processing center in northern China. Sheep raising and processing is expected to replace the Mongolian region’s traditional plant-based agriculture. The number of sheep are expected to increase from 800,000 to 6 million. Foreign investment is now being sought with favorable terms.

“China Plans Sheep Centre,” Meat News, November 13, 2001.
http://www.meatnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&artNum=2120


7.  WEBSITE SPOTLIGHT: FARM INFORMATION ARCHIVES
Farm Animal Reform Movement (FARM) has announced a new information service. The organization is offering an “Archives” of reports, articles, newsletters and photographs. The Reports section contains mortality tables associated with the production and consumption of animal products. Thousands of articles regarding diet and the environmental impacts of agriculture are available through the Articles section. FARM newsletters dating back to 1997 are also offered. The Photographs section includes images of factory “farms,” slaughter, environmental and health/hunger images.

http://www.farmusa.org/archives.htm