1. POULTRY RECALL EXPANDED
An additional 4.2 million pounds of turkey and chicken meat are being recalled by Jack Lambersky Poultry Company (J.L. Foods), a New Jersey company which recalled 200,000 pounds of poultry meat on November 2nd. The recall is in response to a Listeria outbreak which has sickened 52 people, killed 7, and caused 3 miscarriages. Previously, Pilgrim's Pride recalled 27 million pounds of poultry meat in association with the same Listeria investigation, the largest meat recall in history (see issue #89). The outbreak is still under investigation.

 

"Listeria Threat Expands Meat Recall," Associated Press, Emily Gersema, November 21, 2002.
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20021121_583.html

 

2. TURKEY GROWTH
The U.S. leads the world in turkey production. The number of turkeys produced in the U.S. decreased from about 270 million in 2000 to 267 million in 2001. Turkey consumption in the U.S. has remained stagnant at about 18 pounds per person for the last decade. About 8.5% of the total U.S. turkey production (volume, not value) is exported. In 1966, it took over 220 days for male turkeys to reach a "market weight" of 35 pounds, and 147 days for female turkeys to reach 16 pounds. By 2002, it took 136 days and 99 days, respectively. Pre-slaughter mortality rates are about 15% for male turkeys and 10% for females. The article notes: "it is difficult for commercial operations to capture [the] full genetic potential for growth rate because of various management and disease challenges associated with intensive production systems." (See also: "Ventilation a key consideration for turkey producers" at: http://www.poultryandeggnews.com/poultrytimes/focus/November2002/444432.html ) A number of statistical charts, and comparisons of U.S. and foreign turkey production are included in the article.

 

"Growing Bigger, Faster," Turkey Growth Statistics, Watt Poultry USA, Peter Ferket, Feb. 2002.
http://www.wattnet.com/Archives/Docs/202wp40.pdf?CFID=28327&CFTOKEN=64015918

 

3. TURKEY PROTECTION ADVOCACY MESSAGES VARY
Animal protection organizations took varying approaches in urging consumers to reconsider their meal choices this Thanksgiving. The options range from vegetarian meals to alternatively produced meat. PETA's Bruce Friedrich says vegetarians can effectively spread their message at Thanksgiving: "The dead turkey is a traditional centerpiece, and consequently declining to eat it is a perfect opportunity to talk about the fact that eating meat is animal cruelty." Farm Sanctuary encouraged people to adopt a turkey instead of eating one by participating in the Adopt-a-Turkey Program (see http://www.adoptaturkey.org and item #8). Co-founder Lorri Bauston notes, "For us vegetarians, Thanksgiving can be a pretty dismal time of year....One reason people can be so cruel is that they don't see turkeys as living, breathing animals, the way they do their dogs or cats." The Humane Society of the U.S. is, among other things (see item #9), urging consumers who eat meat to purchase free-range turkeys instead of factory-farmed ones. A National Turkey Federation spokesperson defends the industry's mass-production techniques as necessary to provide meat at affordable prices. "It's un-American not to have turkey at Thanksgiving," she said.

 

Other Thanksgiving articles featuring PETA spokespersons include predominant articles featuring musician Moby, such as at: http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=211161 and one about "liberator-turned-educator" Gary Yourofsky at: http://www.trnonline.com/stories/11262002/local_news/35385.shtml 
"Groups Decry Commercial Turkey Farms," Associated Press, David Crary, November 25, 2002. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20021125/ap_on_re_us/turkeys__rights_1

 

4. PRESIDENTIAL "PARDON"
This year, the annual White House ceremony of "pardoning" a turkey involved a female turkey for the first time. According to an AP story, "Handlers dragged a clearly reluctant Katie the Turkey onto a table to meet her rescuer. Eyes wide, she reared back as the president approached. He seemed at least as wary, keeping his back to the bird and hands stuffed in his coat pockets. Finally, Bush grabbed the hand of National Turkey Federation chairman Ron Prestage to do his cautious petting for him." Like their 24 predecessors since 1990, Katie and another turkey, Zack, have been sent to Frying Pan Park, a Virginia petting zoo. Of the 24, only 2 still survive. According to the park manager, turkeys are bred to put on weight quickly and usually only survive about 6 months. (He did recall one turkey surviving there for 3 years.) He notes, "It's the weight on their bones and their joints that gets them. They start having trouble moving around, just like people." (To view photo go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43644-2002Nov26.html)

 

"In New Spin on Tradition, Turkey Pardon Goes to ‘Katie,'" The New York Times, Elisabeth Bumiller, November 27, 2002.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/27/politics/27TURK.html
"Reprieved White House Turkey is a She," Associated Press, Jennifer Loven, November 26 2002
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20021126/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_turkey_1

 

5. GOVERNOR REFUSES VEGETARIAN PROCLAMATION
Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist has refused to proclaim a "Vegetarian Month." He claims that such proclamations "...are a tool to promote a positive message....We don't use proclamations to get involved in political arguments, and this fell into that category." Lige Weill, president of the Knoxville-based Tennessee Vegetarian Society, counters, "He is discriminating against vegetarians. They sign proclamations for everything: Baton twirling, anything." Weill said the Governor was free to modify the language of the proclamation. Two former governors rejected similar proclamations. One, Lamar Alexander, was criticized by the meat industry for proclaiming a "World Vegetarian Day" in 1986. He subsequently signed proclamations for the beef, pork and poultry industries, and served beef at a luncheon on Vegetarian Day.

 

"Vegetarians Say Sundquist Discriminates," The Associated Press, November 26, 2002.
http://dailybeacon.utk.edu/article.php/8362

 

6. VEGAN/VEGETARIAN THANKSGIVING CELEBRATIONS
Vegan recipe suggestions from Mollie Katzen and other cooks.
"So Who Needs a Bird? Vegetarian [vegan] entrees for the feast," Denise Landis, Nov. 21, 2002.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/20/dining/20VEGE.html

 

Chef Diane Morgan prepares a vegetarian Thanksgiving feast on the CBS Early Show.
"Thanksgiving without the Turkey," CBS Early Show, November 22, 2002.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/22/earlyshow/saturday/chef/main530589.shtml

 

What began as a one-time holiday kick-off has become a tradition: The Vegetarian Friends' Thanksgiving dinner party.
"Tastemaker: A vegetarian Thanksgiving," Minneapolis Star Tribune, Patrice Johnson, 11/21/02.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/438/3440019.html

 

Vegan Thanksgiving by the "Compassionate Cook."
"Thanksgiving dinner can fly Without Tom Turkey" The Oakland Tribune, Jennifer Carnig 11/20
http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82%257E1804%257E1002955,00.html

 

The Cooking School of the Rockies and other chefs do Thanksgiving.
"The Daily Camera" (Boulder), Ashley Frank, November 20, 2002.
http://www.bouldernews.com/bdc/food/article/0,1713,BDC_2517_1546008,00.html

 

Students Against Cruelty to Animals serve up a vegan Thanskgiving dinner at the U. of Texas.
"Happy Tofurky Day," The Daily Texan, Erin Gage, November 26, 2002.
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2002/11/26/3de341847717b

 

The annual Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner at Southern Illinois University originated 9 years ago from strong interest in vegetarian diets by the Student Environmental Center.
"Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner," Daily Egyptian, Kristina Herrndobler, November 21, 2002.
http://newshound.de.siu.edu/fall02/stories/storyReader$1702
 
Thanks to DawnWatch for compiling a number of these articles: http://www.dawnwatch.com/Animal_media_alerts.htm#THANKSGIVING

 

7. TOFURKEY AND OTHER TURKEY ALTERNATIVES

 

http://www.tofurkey.com

 

"Tofu-Turkey Arrives on the Thanksgiving Dinner Table," The Minnesota Daily, Dan Solomon, November 27, 2002.
http://www.mndaily.com/new_site/article.php?id=4315

 

"Turkey Day Without the Turkey," Newton Tab (Mass.), Ryan Kearney, November 25, 2002.
http://www.townonline.com/newton/news/local_regional/new_newneturkeydayrkgr11252002.htm

 

"Seitan like a Chameleon," Sun-Sentinal, Vegetarian Today, Steve Petusevsky, Nov. 21, 2002.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/food/search/sfl-fdvegcol21nov21.story
 

 

8. ADOPT-A-TURKEY
USA Today features an extensive article on Farm Sanctuary focusing on turkeys and the organization's Adopt-A-Turkey program (see item #3). The USA Today web site features video coverage of the organization's New York sanctuary and the adoption of one turkey, Cranberry.
"Plucked from the Platter," Marco R. della Cava, USA Today, November 27, 2002.
http://www.usatoday.com/life/2002-11-26-sanctuary_x.htm

 

Adopt-A-Turkey is a 16-year-old program. Thousands of sponsors and about 50 homes nationwide participate. The Radzvilowicz family has just adopted their 64th bird.
"Adopted Turkey Given Something to be Thankful for," The Chronicle (Ct.), Christopher Boland, November 25, 2002.
http://www.thechronicle.com/story_disp.htm?action=Search&story_id=nov14-76773&category=Local%20News

 

Birds in the Adopt-A-Turkey Program arrive at their new homes via the Turkey Express.
"Some Plan to Adopt, Not Eat, Thanksgiving Bird This Year," The Colombus Dispatch, Kathy Lynn Gray, November 23, 2002.
http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?Story=dispatch/news/new02/nov02/1505676.html

 

Three turkeys, rescued from a car dealership promotion in which customers were given the chance to chase turkeys, arrive at their new home. Countering claims that turkeys are debeaked and detoed, a National Turkey Federation (NTF) spokesperson says turkeys' beaks and toenails are trimmed to prevent injuries from the birds' "naturally aggressive tendencies." (The article includes a photo of a baby sitting in the company of 3 turkeys.)  Acknowledging that turkeys are conscious when slaughtered, the NTF spokesperson explains that they are shielded by a sheet, called a curtain, which "provides a calming sensation to the bird."
"This turkey dinner was different," Mail Tribune (OR.), Jonel Aleccia, November 22, 2002.
http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2002/1122/local/stories/03local.htm

 

9. MORE SANCTUARY ARTICLES
Vegetarian's mom gives up turkey-cooking ways after finding 2 turkey "angels" fallen from truck
"Animal Lover is Reassured of Cause," Fayetteville Online, Rodger Mullen, November 24, 2002.
http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php?Template=columnists&Story=5296784

 

Mona, a Spanish black turkey, returns to the safety of Wilderness Ranch with her 4 babies, who were named at the ranch's annual Thanks for Giving Celebration.
"A turkey finds sanctuary," Rocky Mountain News, Rebecca Jones, November 18, 2002.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/cr/cda/article_print/1,1250,DRMN_64_1549264,00.html

 

10. POINT/COUNTERPOINT
The National Turkey Federation (see especially "About Turkeys"):
http://www.eatturkey.com/press/main.html
(NTF will be holding its annual convention February 6-8 in San Antonio, Tx., with the theme: "Investing in the Future, Learning from the Past: An Industry for the Times.")
http://www.poultryandeggnews.com/poultrytimes/news/November2002/444503.html

 

"Iowa Celebrates 30 Years of ‘Telling Our Story," Poultry & Egg News, Gretta Irwin, 10/14/02.
http://www.poultryandeggnews.com/poultrytimes/viewpoint/October2002/281782.html

 

"Turkeys: A Life Beyond the Holiday Dinner Table" (see also "The Turkey Factory Farm" on the same page), The Humane Society of the United States, Susanne Abromaitis.
http://www.hsus.org/ace/15845

 

United Poultry Concerns:
"Turkeys Want to Be Friends, Not Food"
http://www.upc-online.org/winter99/friends_not_food.html
"The Plight of Birds in the Poultry and Egg Industry" (see especially "Overweight Birds" through "Pain and Disease").
http://www.upc-online.org/industry/plight.html

"More Than a Meal: The Turkey in History, Myth Ritual and Reality" (contact UPC for excerpts)
http://www.upc-online.org/mtam_review.html