Farmed
Animal Watch
A Project of Animal Place
April 3, 2002
(To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #61
CONTENTS
1. Over 120,000 Turkeys Ordered Killed Due to
Mild Strain of AI
2. NYT Magazine Covers Beef Production
3. Brazilian Slaves, U.S. Sharecroppers
4. Oklahoma Goes After Polluting Poultry Giants
5. North Carolina: Flooding Worse than Thought
6. County Farming Restrictions by State
7. New Animal Welfare Research Planned
8. Cockfighting: Alive and Deadly in Philadelphia
9. Factory Farming Forum & Rally Reminder
1. OVER 120,000 TURKEYS ORDERED KILLED DUE TO MILD STRAIN OF AI
Outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) in Virginia have led agriculture
officials to order the death of some 122,600 turkeys. The birds are from 6
separate flocks, of which at least 3 are flocks used for breeding by Cargill
Inc. The specific strain of the virus affecting the flocks is mildly
pathogenic. It isn't particularly dangerous to the birds but can hamper their
egg-laying ability. Intense concentrations of animals increase the likelihood
of disease transmission.
Both Russia and Japan have been banning imports
of U.S. poultry due to health concerns. Japan is now accepting U.S. imports
from all but Virginia and 2 other states. Russia attributed its ban to the
presence of Salmonella and the use of antibiotics in U.S. poultry. It had
agreed to lift the ban but is now reconsidering that decision. The Russian
market accounts for 40% of U.S. poultry exports and 8% of all poultry raised
here.
2. NYT MAGAZINE COVERS BEEF PRODUCTION
The cover story of the New York Times Magazine (3/31/02) follows a calf
through his 14-month life, from pasture to feedlot to slaughter. The author
explains how the calf grows from 80 to 1,200 pounds in little over a year.
This involves "enormous quantities of corn, protein supplements – and
drugs, including growth hormones." The environmental consequences
of the vast amount of waste created from the fattening process is considered,
and the slaughter process is discussed in detail with expert Temple Grandin.
The author concludes, "How cheap, really, is cheap feedlot beef? Not
cheap at all, when you add in the invisible costs: of antibiotic resistance,
environmental degradation, heart disease, E. coli poisoning, corn subsidies,
imported oil and so on." He advocates grazing cattle instead of
subjecting them to feedlots. The NYT web site is hosting a popular interactive
forum on the topic "Does knowing more about beef make you want to eat it
less?"
"This Steer's Life: Power Steer," The New York Times Magazine,
Michael Pollan, March 31, 2002.
http://www.nytimes.com/library/magazine/home/
3. BRAZILIAN SLAVES, U.S. SHARECROPPERS
The Brazilian Amazon is being deforested for the timber trade and to make way
for cattle ranches producing "grass-fed ‘green beef.'" Desperate
peasants are tricked into slavery in both the timber and beef industries. A
national survey conducted by a Roman Catholic Church group in the year 2000
estimated there were more than 25,000 forced workers. Ten years ago, there
were fewer than 5,000. Exports of Brazilian beef grew 30% in 2001, to $1
billion. Fears of mad cow disease have particularly increased the market for
it in Europe and the Middle East. The article details the abuses to which the
workers are subjected. It also tells of the ineffectiveness of the government
in fighting forced labor, and of the complicity of local police.
Individuals who contract with large poultry
companies to raise chickens for them are the subject of an article which
refers to them as "modern-day sharecroppers." The contracts give the
companies extreme control while putting most of the risks and costs of
production onto the contractors. Mainly located on the Chesapeake Bay's
Delmarva Peninsula and in pockets throughout the south, they are up against
daunting political and economic forces. Similar exploitative provisions are
beginning to appear in contracts for pig and cattle production, and there is
growing concern that production contracts will sweep through the giant corn,
wheat and soybean sectors of the Midwest.
4. OKLAHOMA GOES AFTER POLLUTING POULTRY GIANTS
Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson is planning to file several
multi-million dollar lawsuits against 5 or 6 giant poultry companies. He
alleges thousands of tons of chicken litter have polluted state waters. Tulsa
claims to have spent $1 million removing phosphorus from water. Tulsa sued six
poultry companies last December for water pollution. Class-action lawsuits
were also filed. Chicken companies will be targeted in the new cases rather
than chicken farmers. The question of responsibility for the litter is at the
crux of all the lawsuits. Company contracts tend to define litter as an asset.
Notes Edmondson, "If it's an asset, perhaps they could purchase it from
the growers."
5. NORTH CAROLINA: FLOODING WORSE THAN THOUGHT
Flooding of N.C. confinement operations poses a greater risk to environmental
and human health than previously reported. Satellite imagery was used to
reveal the true extent of flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd, which struck in
1999. Employing census information, it was determined that many more
operations were flooded, and far more people were affected, than state data
had shown. It was also revealed that blacks are more likely than whites to
live in flooded areas, which have high poverty rates. Chemical and biological
contamination of wells, the chief supply of drinking water for most area
residents, is of particular concern. N.C. confinement operations are currently
permitted as non-discharge facilities with the assumption that all waste is
contained on site. The analyses show that is not true. The state periodically
experiences flooding, and environmental contamination will continue while
confinement operations are in flood plains.
7. NEW ANIMAL WELFARE RESEARCH PLANNED
The National Pork Board has identified 6 priorities for research into pig
welfare. They are: sow gestation housing, sow longevity, space requirements
for all categories of pigs in various production facilities, production
practices, handling and transportation, and on-farm euthanasia. Research
proposals are being accepted until April 18th. A total of $400,00 is being
budget with up to $25,000 available for each proposal. The research is to be
funded through the Pork Checkoff program.
A partnership to support new farmed animal
welfare research in Canada has recently been formed between the federal
government, the Alberta government, and the Alberta Farm Animal Care
Association. The Livestock Welfare Research Partnership is committing $1.5
million for initial funding over the next 3 years. The following 4 areas of
study have been identified: husbandry practices, disease, non-invasive
procedures for measuring stress, and environment. This includes transport,
handling, housing, and early detection of sick animals and reduced use of
antibiotics. The research will be conducted at the federal Lacombe Research
Centre.
8. COCKFIGHTING: ALIVE AND DEADLY IN PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia police just made the largest cockfighting bust in recent history.
More than 75 people were arrested (including 9 juveniles). Each faces up to 7
years in prison on a felony animal cruelty charge. Sixty-six surviving
roosters were taken into custody. Thirteen dead birds - some decapitated- were
also there. At the fighting ring, police confiscated police scanners, a loaded
handgun, needles used to dope the birds, $51,000 and a large trophy. Bottles
of hot sauce and rubbing alcohol were also present. The liquids are rubbed
into open wounds to further stimulate the birds. The roosters are being held
as evidence and eventually will probably be euthanized. The article offers a
deep and revealing look into the cockfighting subculture, replete with
photographs.
Indiana recently strengthened its
anti-cockfighting law, making it illegal to possess the weapons strapped onto
roosters legs to increase injuries during fighting. Kansas is considering
legislation that would increase cockfighting penalties and ban possession of
fighting birds. Oklahoma voters will decide on a cockfighting ban this
November. If it passes, only Louisiana and New Mexico will still allow it.
9. FACTORY FARMING FORUM & RALLY REMINDER
New Jersey is the only state with legislation requiring the development of
standards for the banning of inhumane farming practices. A forum will be held
in Trenton this weekend to discuss this and other farmed animal issues. It
will be followed by a rally on Monday at the state capitol.
The event is presented by Farm Sanctuary and is sponsored by Compassion in
World Farming, The Fund for Animals, and The Humane Society of the United
States.
