Farmed
Animal Watch
A Project of Animal Place
July 11, 2003
(To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Number #22 Volume 2
CONTENTS
1. Seeking Slaughter Changes
2. "Downed Animal Protection" Amendment up for Vote
3. California "Agro-Terrorism" Bill Passes Senate
4. McDonald's Action on Antibiotics
5. New Cattle Growth Promoter
6. Animal Fat and Dioxins
7. Battling Obesity
8. Upcoming Events
1. SEEKING SLAUGHTER CHANGES
The recent killing of 30,000 hens who were thrown alive into wood chipping
machines (see issue N.16, V.2) has disturbed even some within the industry.
While reforms are happening in the way farmed animals are kept and killed,
critics say improvements are not happening fast enough and farmers are rarely
held accountable when animals are made to suffer unnecessarily. During a May
agriculture appropriations hearing, Senator Robert Byrd (D-W.V.) called on the
Agriculture Department to speed up the hiring of more slaughterplant
inspectors. "Despite the laws on the books, chronically weak enforcement
and intense pressure to speed up slaughterhouse assembly lines reportedly have
resulted in animals being skinned, dismembered, and boiled while they are
still alive and conscious," Byrd stated. Taking a different approach,
Senator Jim Moran (D - Va.) recently distributed copies of the video
"Meet Your Meat" (
http://www.meetyourmeat.com
) to members of Congress. The American Meat Institute points to improvements
the $133 billion industry has made in the past decade and denies that animal
protection regulations are not being enforced at slaughterplants. According to
the USDA, from January 1998 to January 2003, 21 of the nation's 900
slaughterplants were cited for violations resulting from animal abuse. This
article (which ran in The New York Times and other papers) notes that every
year in the U.S., 8 billion chickens and turkeys, 97 million pigs, 36 million
cattle (including 1 million calves), and 3 million sheep are slaughtered in
[federally inspected slaughterplants]. Birds, the vast majority of the animals
killed, are not covered under the Humane Slaughter Act.
2. "DOWNED ANIMAL PROTECTION" AMENDMENT UP FOR VOTE
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a version of the
Downed Animal Protection Act during the week of July 14th. According to a
notice released by The Humane Society of the U.S. and The Fund for Animals,
Representative Gary Ackerman (D-NY) plans to introduce such a provision as an
amendment to the House Agriculture Appropriations bill. The Ackerman amendment
seeks to prohibit nonambulatory ("downed") animals -those who are
unable to stand or walk- from entering the food supply. The organizations
point out that this will help protect ill and injured animals from abusive
treatment, and also help protect public health since nonambulatory animals are
more likely to be suffering from diseases that are transmissible to humans
(see
issue #41).
3. CALIFORNIA "AGRO-TERRORISM" BILL PASSES SENATE
The California state senate unanimously passed SB 933, a bill to make
trespassing on land used to house, raise, breed, feed or keep animals used for
human food a misdemeanor. The law is supported by numerous state animal
agriculture associations and law enforcement agencies. It is opposed by the
Fund for Animals and Viva!USA. They point out that there already are laws
against trespassing and this bill is intended to prevent activists from
documenting abusive animal production practices. The bill awaits a hearing by
the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
4. MCDONALD'S ACTION ON ANTIBIOTICS
In mid-June, McDonald's globally called for its suppliers to phase out by the
end of 2004 their use of antibiotics for animal growth promotion that are also
used for human medicine. An Associated Press article noted that the decision
"is a direct result of growing consumer awareness of food hazards and
demand for meat that is safely produced and more humanely raised, according to
researchers, activists and even some major food companies." A survey by
natural foods retailer Whole Foods showed 74% of consumers are concerned about
the presence of antibiotics in meat, although meat from animals produced
without them only account for 1% of sales. The market for such meat is
considered promising, however, with the number of certified organic cattle,
pigs and sheep increasing 3-fold since 1997 while organic chickens and turkeys
have increased 5-fold. (Since 2000, more organic food has been purchased in
conventional grocery stores than in health food stores and 73% of all grocery
stores now carry organic products.)
The article went on to state "Besides speeding growth, antibiotic-laced
feed is also used to ward off illnesses that can move quickly through animals'
crowded and often filthy feedlots." The government does not monitor
antibiotic usage but according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)
about 70% of antibiotics and related drugs in the U.S. are administered to
farmed animals to promote growth and prevent disease. UCS estimates that 50%
of the antibiotics used in animal agriculture are used for growth promotion
while the Animal Health Institute, a trade organization for animal drug
manufacturers, says it is instead 13-17%. According to an FDA official, growth
promoters are administered to most [farmed] animal in the U.S. Over half of
these drugs are so closely related to human medicines that microbes exposed to
them can also develop resistance to the human medicines. A recent U.S.
Geological survey found antibiotic residues in nearly half of 139 streams
evaluated nationwide.
McDonald's new policy will prohibit its direct suppliers (mostly chicken
companies) from using 24 growth promoters that are closely related to
antibiotics used in human medicine. In deciding which independent operators to
purchase meat from (mostly beef and pork), the company will give favorable
status to those who avoid growth promoters. It will allow the use of
antibiotics to treat sick animals and to prevent and control disease
outbreaks. Some skeptics have said this will allow suppliers to continue using
the drugs, which do not require a prescription, under the pretext of disease
control and prevention. The European Union voted in 1998 to ban the use of
antibiotics for growth promotion (see
issue #98) by 2006. It is already banned
in Denmark and Sweden. Overall, antibiotic use on European farms dropped
considerably after the ban began being phased in there, and resistance to
antibiotics has declined. But reports show the drugs are being used more
frequently to treat sick animals. McDonald's European-based poultry suppliers
had eliminated their use of the drugs in feed by the end of 2001. That same
year, the company also decided to phase out all uses of fluoroquinolone
antibiotics with its U.S. poultry supply (see
issue
#54). Some U.S. industry
representatives have responded to McDonald's new policy by saying it is based
on marketing and political reasons rather than science. It is anticipated that
other companies will follow McDonald's lead. McDonald's new policy can be
found at:
http://www.mcdonalds.com/corporate/social/marketplace/antibiotics/global/index.html
A coalition effort to introduce a bill phasing out the majority of animal
agriculture antibiotic use is being opposed by the pharmaceutical lobby (see:
http://www.keepantibioticsworking.com
).
"Demand Led McDonald's to Cut Antibiotics," Associated Press, Beth
Fouhy, June 19, 2003.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/6126745.htm
"Fast Food Giants Move Throws Light on Antibiotics Overuse," Inter
Press Service, Katherine Stapp, July 1, 2003.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0701-04.htm
"McDonald's Will Tell Meat Suppliers to Cut Antibiotics Use," The
Washington Post, Marc Kaufman, June 19, 2003
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11152-2003Jun18.html?nav=hptoc_b
"McDonald's Asks Meat Industry to Cut Use of Antibiotics" The New
York Times, David Barboza with Sherri Day, June 19, 2003.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/20/business/20MEAT.html
5. NEW CATTLE GROWTH PROMOTER
Elanco Animal Health recently announced it has received FDA approval to market
a new growth promoter for cattle used for meat production. Optaflexx is
derived from the same compound used in Elanco's Paylean growth promoter for
pigs. [Paylean has been associated with "Downer's Syndrome," see
issue #77.] Optaflexx will cause an average steer to gain about 17 additional
pounds. It is not an antibiotic and so will not be affected by McDonald's new
policy (see item #4).
6. ANIMAL FAT AND DIOXINS
Dioxins are chemical compounds primarily created by the incineration of
chlorinated wastes. Air-borne particles contaminate vegetation and when eaten
by animals accumulate in their fat. Billions of pounds of animal fat are fed
back to animals each year, further adding to dioxin buildup. Most human
exposure to dioxins is through the consumption of animal fat in meat
(including poultry and fish) and dairy products. High levels of these
compounds are associated with neurological and developmental problems, and
increased susceptibility to cancer due to hormonal disruption. Of particular
concern are the vulnerability of fetuses and nursing children. The Institute
of Medicine, one of the National Academies of Science, which advises the
federal government on medical matters, recently released a report on dioxins.
It notes that people can limit their dioxin intake by reducing meat
consumption. Additionally, it recommends that the government increase the
availability of foods low in animal fat in the National School Lunch Program.
Among its other recommendations is the interruption of dioxin recycling which
results from the use of animal fat in feed. A preliminary draft of the full
report can be viewed at:
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10763.html
7. BATTLING OBESITY
One-fourth of all Americans eat at a fast-food restaurant every day. Over 60%
of U.S. adults and 13% of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight.
Obesity now rivals smoking for chronic health problems and aging for medical
costs. Recently, the Public Health Advocacy Institute held the "First
Annual Conference on Legal Approaches to the Obesity Epidemic" (see also
issue #72). Prior to that, a House subcommittee held a hearing on the
"Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act," which is designed
to provide legal liability protection for food companies from lawsuits brought
about by obese customers. Lisa Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform, which opposes "McLawsuits,"
argues that, unlike tobacco cases, "no one has ever argued that fast food
is addictive." However, according to Neal Barnard, president of the
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, previously unpublicized studies
suggest that cheese, meat, chocolate and sugar cause the release of
opiate-like substances that cause people to crave them (see:
http://www.pcrm.org/news/health030529.html
). Kraft Foods, which was sued over the fat content of Oreo cookies, has
announced it is taking steps to counter obesity by reducing the portion sizes
and fat content of some of its products, and eliminating in-school marketing
of its brands. The July 4th issue of Cow-Calf Weekly comments: "When
McDonald's begins putting fruit instead of fries into Happy Meals, when
Frito-Lay eliminates trans fatty acids from its chips, and when Pepsi promises
half of its product line will be geared to health-conscious consumers, it's
time for the beef industry to take notice."
"Overweight Americans - Are We Biggie-Sizing Ourselves?" Reality
Check, March 2003.
http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/reality/articles/2003/fastfood.asp
"Involvement of Lawyers in Obesity Battle Not Good Sign," Cheese
Reporter, Editorial, Dick.
http://www.cheesereporter.com/editorial.htm
"‘McLawsuits' May be Banned," CNN, July 2, 2003.
http://money.cnn.com/2003/07/02/news/companies/obesity_lawsuits/
"Big Fat About to Lose It's Biggest Defense," Grand Forks Herald,
Neal Barnard," June 9, 2003.
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/agweek/news/opinion/6045878.htm
8. UPCOMING EVENTS:
ANIMAL WELFARE: AN UPDATE is the title of a symposium to be held at the annual
meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists in Chicago, July 16th. The
symposium will feature animal handling/slaughter authority Temple Grandin (
http://www.grandin.com
); Janet Riley of the American Meat Institute; Chester England III of Burger
King restaurants; Jill Hollingsworth of the Food Marketing Institute; and
Adele Douglass of Humane Farm Animal Care. For information on the symposium,
contact Blaine P. Friedlander Jr. at: 607-255-3290 or
BPF2@Cornell.edu
Information on the meeting can be found at:
http://www.worldfoodscience.org/worldcongress/program.html
A SYMPOSIUM ON THE WELFARE OF LAYING HENS will be held in Bristol, England on
July 17-20th. Sponsored by The World's Poultry Science Association, the
symposium will review scientific information regarding hen welfare including
breeding, behavior, production systems, handling, transport, stunning and
slaughter, along with "spent hen"issues. For more information, see:
http://www.volny.cz/sdvs/Bristol-UK.doc
HELPING ANIMALS 101 will be held in Las Vegas, July 26-27th. People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is hosting this 2-day, regional
conference. PETA president Ingrid Newkirk will be speaking at the event which
will cover such topics as choosing a target and waging a successful campaign,
starting your own group, vegan eating and cooking, media interview techniques,
writing letters to the editor, and passing animal protection legislation.
Registration deadline is July 21st. A demonstration against KFC is also
planned. A Helping Animals 101 conference to be held in Birmingham, Al. is
scheduled for early October. For more information on both, see:
http://www.helpinganimals101.com
ANIMAL RIGHTS 2003 WEST COAST will be held in Los Angeles, Ca., August
1st-5th. This national conference will feature 100 speakers, workshops,
plenary sessions, campaign reports, "rap sessions," exhibits,
videos, an awards banquet and more. Additional information can be found at:
http://www.animalrights2003.org
The full program and presentation outlines will soon be posted to the site.
VEGETARIAN SUMMERFEST 2003 will be held in Johnstown, Pa., August 6-10.
This annual conference, hosted by the North American Vegetarian Society,
will feature educational sessions by 25 experts on health and nutrition,
cooking, fitness, animal rights and lifestyle issues. Films, exhibits, and
activities for adults and youth are also scheduled. For more
information, visit
http://vegetariansummerfest.org
"HOW TO PROMOTE VEGANISM WIDELY AND EFFECTIVELY" is the theme of
United Poultry Concerns (UPC) Annual Forum to be held Boulder, Co., August
16-17th. Speakers from national and local animal protection organizations will
discuss various approaches to promoting veganism. Also to be discussed is
"Should Animal Advocates Promote a ‘Humane' Animal-Based Diet and
Endorse ‘Humane' Farmed Animal Production and Products?" An
inter-active mini-workshop and exhibits are among the event plans. A list of
speakers and details of their presentations can be found at:
http://www.upc-online.org/alerts/forum2003.html
THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR ANIMAL PRODUCTION MEETING will be held in Rome,
Italy, August 31- September 1st. This 54th annual meeting will combine
workshops, a plenary session, a poster session, and symposia to present the
latest scientific developments in various animal production fields. Topics
include genetics, farmed animal health and welfare, horse production and
welfare, and changes in husbandry and attitudes. Local tour sites include a
pig farm, an organic dairy sheep farm, a large cattle dairy and ranch, and the
Animal Production Research Institute. For more information, visit:
http://www.newteam.it/EAAP2003
