Farmed
Animal Watch
A Project of Animal Place
April 17, 2002
(To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #63
CONTENTS
1. Frontline Examines Modern Meat
2. Concerns Increasing With Aquaculture's Growth
3. Soy Milk Showdown
4. McDonald's' Initiatives
5. More Info on Food Industry Animal Welfare Standards
6. Temple Talks
7. USDA Pig Survey
8. Welfare of Animals During Transport: Europe
1. FRONTLINE EXAMINES MODERN MEAT
This Thursday, April 18th, Frontline, the PBS documentary program, will
examine the food safety hazards posed by today's highly-industrialized meat
industry. Cattle are followed from the ranch to the feedlot to the "dis-assembly"
line. The industry's attempts to resist government regulations are also
examined. Following the broadcast, the Frontline web site will feature
extensive additional information at: http://www.pbs.org/frontline
2. CONCERNS INCREASING WITH AQUACULTURE'S GROWTH
In the last decade, aquaculture's global yield has more than doubled to 35.6
million tons a year. About a third of the seafood consumed in the U.S.,
including nearly all of the catfish and trout and about two-thirds of the
salmon and shrimp, is from captive-raised animals. Concerns about the
environmental and consumer health impacts of farmed fish are also increasing,
particularly regarding foreign operations. Herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics
and other drugs are all used in aquaculture, and federal inspection is
lacking. In the U.S., the FDA doesn't inspect fish farms but instead checks on
processors and warehouses every few years. Examples of problematic practices
and incidences involving foreign aquaculture are included in the article. On
April 15th, the USDA announced it would purchase up to $6 million of catfish
products to boost the depressed catfish industry.
Up to 120,000 pounds of Arctic char were killed
recently when the electricity was cut at a failing operation in Brookvale,
Canada. The alarm of a back-up electrical generation system, which would have
continued to provide the fish with oxygen, failed to operate. Noting that the
fish died an agonizing death of suffocation, the executive director of the
Prince Edward Island Humane Society is calling for legislative measures to
prevent it from happening again.
3. SOY MILK SHOWDOWN
Offering soy milk in school lunches is the latest battle in the
multibillion-dollar "milk war" between the dairy industry and its
increasing critics. Many school systems would like to offer soy milk. However,
cow's milk is required by law as part of the federally assisted meal program
which provide more than half of some school systems' cafeteria funding. Unless
students provide a doctor's note, schools won't be reimbursed for soy milk. An
estimated 30 to 50 million Americans are unable to digest lactose, a milk
sugar. School officials say that requiring students to get a doctor's note is
burdensome and shouldn't be necessary. The dairy industry argues that milk is
nutritionally unmatched by most soy milks and lactose intolerance isn't as big
a problem as it is made out to be. The USDA determines which foods should be
included in the school lunch program. In October 2000 it was ruled that the
agency had violated federal conflict-of-interest laws in appointing people
with meat- and dairy-industry ties to its dietary guidelines committee. The
USDA is planning to hold "listening sessions" across the country
this year prior to reauthorizing its National School Lunch Program. Revisions
to the guidelines will go before Congress for approval next year.
The National Dairy Council's "Got
Milk?" campaign is also under fire. Last year, $180 million was spent on
promoting milk in the media and in schools. Opponents say no other product
gets to market itself so directly to students. On the flip side, the rising
popularity of soy milk caused the dairy industry to file a complaint with the
FDA barring the soy industry from using the term "milk." The
complaint is pending.
4. MCDONALD'S' INITIATIVES
National Public Radio (NPR)'s news program, "All Things Considered,"
featured an extensive story on McDonald's new animal welfare standards. The
primary focus was on the company's requirements for egg suppliers. Animal
scientist Joy Mench noted conditions which have improved for the hens and
deprivations to which they are still subjected. The entire piece is available,
both in print and audio at: http://www.americanradioworks.org/features/mcdonalds/index.html
The site also contains slides and an excerpt from philosopher Peter Singer's
book about early negotiations by Henry Spira and Mr. Singer with McDonald's.
The "McVeggie Burger," the first
vegetarian burger offered by McDonald's in North America, is being test
marketed in Vancouver, B.C. If the 45-day test proves successful, the burger
will be offered across Canada beginning in June. Yves Veggie Cuisine is
supplying the burgers, which are only being advertised at the outlets where
they are offered. Responding to criticism that the company was now "in
bed with ‘the cow killers,'" an Yves spokesperson said, "If we can
convince people that this is a great-tasting burger, then they're going to
have to stop killing cows to make the other kind."
McDonald's has released a 46-page report
touting its social responsibility. The report, a first for the company,
expounds on its record of animal welfare, environmentalism and employee
relations. Company analysts say that its primary business of selling beef, an
environmentally consumptive product, is McDonald's weakest point. The report
is available at: http://www.mcdonalds.com/corporate/social/
5. MORE INFO ON FOOD INDUSTRY ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS
Extensive background information on the development of farmed animal welfare
standards by the leading fast-food restaurant chains is contained in
"Farm Animal Welfare News." Alberta Farm Animal Care produces the
publication. The current issue also includes, among other subjects,
information on dehorning, the handling of unfit animals, labeling of
alternative products, and the welfare of genetically altered animals. It can
be accessed at: http://www.afac.ab.ca
6. TEMPLE TALKS
"All Things Considered" will continue its animal welfare series (see
item #1) with a profile of Dr. Temple Grandin. She is a farmed animal handling
expert and a key figure in the development of farmed animal welfare standards.
The program is scheduled to air next week (probably Monday, April 22nd).
Dr. Grandin will be participating in an
interactive online discussion about pig handling and stunning techniques on
Tuesday, April 23rd from 11 to 12 EST. Questions can be submitted in advance.
7. USDA PIG SURVEY
The USDA's Swine 2000 Survey of 895 pig operations provides a snapshot of
diseases and vaccination and antibiotic treatment among breeding herds. The
most common health problems were roundworms and porcine reproductive and
respiratory syndrome (PRRS). The latter was more common at large operations.
The disease was also found in preweaned pigs at 11% of sites. Over 60% of all
sites gave sows antibiotics to treat diseases. At medium and large operations,
more than 80% of the sows were treated with antibiotics.
8. WELFARE OF ANIMALS DURING TRANSPORT: EUROPE
The European Commission has adopted the findings of a report on animal welfare
during transport. The Commission's Scientific Committee on Animal Health and
Animal Welfare prepared the report. It provides a detailed review of current
knowledge on welfare factors affecting horses, cattle, sheep and pigs during
transport. Specific recommendations are made on such issues as loading methods
and densities, travel times, resting periods, and the intervals at which
animals should be given water and fed. The role of transport in relation to
disease is also included. A prohibition on the transport of very young animals
is advised, and the importance of personnel training is stressed. The report
also recommends that taking out insurance against the consequences of
practices which result in poor welfare should not be possible for animal
transporters. The findings will be considered by the Commission for follow-up
proposals. The report can be accessed at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/scah/outcome_en.html
