June
9 , 2004
Number 54, Volume 2
Farmed
Animal Watch is sponsored by Animal
Place, Animal
Welfare Trust, Farm
Sanctuary, The Fund
for Animals, Glaser
Progress Foundation, and People
for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
1. STUDY TO INVESTIGATE ANIMAL STRESS AND FOOD SAFETY
The
US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service
(ARS) has established a new laboratory in Indiana with the purpose of
studying the connection between stress levels for farmed animals and their
susceptibility to pathogens. “Stress in livestock can lower productivity
and possibly increase the risk of contamination from Salmonella and other
bacterial pathogens," said an ARS administrator. Researchers are
currently working on an imaging system to map the progression of Salmonella
through live pigs and studying alternative housing systems for chickens
and other animals. The new lab is affiliated with ARS’s Livestock
Behavior Research Unit (see http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/usda/).
“Does Stress-free Livestock Mean Safer Food?” Food Navigator,
Lindsey Partos, June 4, 2004
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news-NG.asp?id=52589
“New USDA Lab to Study Stress Indicators in Livestock,” USDA/ARS,
Don Comis, June 3, 2004
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2004/040603.htm
2. FARMED ANIMAL GENOME STUDIES AND MEAT PRODUCTION
With
the sequencing of human DNA recently completed, genetics researchers are
moving on to other species of animals, including farmed animals. At least
three dozen research teams have sequenced or are preparing to sequence
the DNA of chickens, fish, bees, cows, and other animals. Most of the
work -- which is driven by the National Human Genome Research Institute
-- is said to be aimed at benefiting human health, but in some cases the
advancements are being used to satisfy taste preferences. Cargill, a top
US meatpacking company, has used the cow genome to develop a feedlot test
that can predict an animals’ likelihood of producing flesh that
is more desirable to consumers. The Cargill study was based on 14 million
genetic tests with more than 3,000 cows raised for beef.
“Human Genome Project Moving on to Other Animals,” MercuryNews.com,
June 7, 2004
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/8862629.htm
(REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
“Genetic Test Developed by Cargill Could Predict Better Beef Traits,”
Meatingplace.com, Eric Hanson June 8, 2004
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/pop.asp?ID=12490
National Human Genome Research Institute: http://www.genome.gov
3. GLOBAL CASES OF DISEASES IMPACTING FARMED ANIMALS
Several
recent cases involving farmed animal diseases have resulted in thousands
of animal deaths in South Africa and the UK. In South Africa’s Western
Cape, more than 5,000 pigs have died as a result of a cholera outbreak
that a state veterinarian says has a “slight possibility”
of spreading to humans. In the UK, the governmental Department for Environment
and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said that it investigated 20 cases of botulism
last year, almost four times the yearly average. As a result, DEFRA warned
beef and dairy producers to take precautions against botulism, including
not using poultry litter and properly disposing of dead animals. Also
in the UK, a DEFRA spokesperson said that the organization is investigating
a “mysterious disease” that caused the paralysis and death
of a young cow. The disease has been preliminarily identified as “a
type of cattle polio” that affected the white matter of the cow’s
brain. The investigation is ongoing.
“Western Cape Farm Hit by Deadly Pig Disease,” SABC News,
June 04, 2004
http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/general/0,2172,81121,00.html
“UK: Botulism in Cattle Warning Issued,” Planet Ark and Reuters,
June 7, 2004 http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/25402/story.htm
“Botulism and Poultry Litter,” DEFRA news release, June 4,
2004
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2004/040604a.htm
“Mystery Cattle Disease 'May Pose Human Health Risk',” The
Scotsman, Caroline Gammell, June 8, 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3034161
4. TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON THE WELFARE OF DAIRY COWS
The
June, 2004 edition of the Journal of Dairy Science includes a number of
technical articles relevant to the welfare of dairy cows, including animal
physiology, nutrition and feeding, genetics, and the dairy industry in
general. Descriptive titles for some of the articles that appear most
relevant to cow welfare include: (1) “Bacterial Populations on Teat
Ends of Dairy Cows Housed in Free Stalls and Bedded with Either Sand or
Sawdust”; (2) “Hormonal and Lactational Responses to Growth
Hormone-Releasing Hormone Treatment in Lactating Japanese Black Cows”;
(3) “The Effect of Preventive Trimming on Weight Bearing and Force
Balance on the Claws of Dairy Cattle;” and (4) “Effect of
Milking Pipeline Height on Machine Milking Efficiency and Milk Quality
in Sheep.” Citations, authors, dates of publication, and the full
text of the articles can be found by visiting the link at the bottom.
Journal of Dairy Sciences, June 2004, Volume 87, Number 6
http://jds.fass.org/content/vol87/issue6/index.shtml
5. MEAT PRODUCERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
A
subsidiary of Smithfield Foods -- the largest slaughterer of pigs in the
US -- has become the first major meatpacking facility in the world to
receive the internationally recognized ISO 14001 certification for environmental
standards. The certification is to recognize processes and systems that
ensure the facility conforms to environmental regulations as well as the
company’s own policies. According to the NY Times, the US Environmental
Protection Agency is nearing an agreement with producers that would allow
processors of pigs, chickens, and cows to regulate their own air quality
for two years. Environmentalists say the so-called “safe harbor”
initiative gives meat and dairy producers the ability to pollute without
being subject to any liability for at least two years. Teresa Heinz-Kerry,
wife of the US democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, has strongly
criticized the current Bush administration for eroding the Clean Air Act,
among other environmental protections (see “Other Items” section,
below).
“Smithfield Packing Plant Receives Environmental Award,” Meatingplace.com,
Brendan O'Neill, June 3, 2004
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/pop.asp?ID=12466
“EPA Nears Pact on Waste by Processors of Livestock,” NY Times,
Michael Janofsky, June 3, 2004
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/03/politics/03enviro.html
6. US AGRICULTURE CENSUS AND CONCENTRATION OF ANIMAL FARMING
A
census of agriculture is conducted every five years in the US by the National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), an arm of the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA). The most recent census data covers the period 1997
to 2002, during which time the US farming industry underwent significant
consolidation. There were nearly 50,000 fewer pig farms in the US in 2002,
a 37% decline from the 1992 census showing 125,000 pig farms. There were
also significantly fewer “cattle farms”, although such farms
account for about half of the 2.1 million farms in the country. The census
shows that in 2002 only 3% of farms -- those that earn $500,000 or more
per year -- account for 62% of overall farm revenue, including both sales
and government payments.
“Survey Finds 3% of Farms are Thriving,” Chicago Tribune,
Andrew Martin, June 4, 2004
http://tinyurl.com/2q7sc (Chicago
Tribune website)
To the source: National Agricultural Statistics Service 2002 Census
http://www.nass.usda.gov/census
“R-CALF Forced To Defend Anti-Meat Groups,” Cow-Calf Weekly,
Joe Roybal, June 3, 2004
Abstract: Editorial by Cow-Calf Weekly staff, criticizing the Rancher-Cattlemen
Action Legal Fund (R-CALF) for siding with “anti-meat” groups
by condemning the USDA’s handling of BSE and import/export rules.
http://tinyurl.com/2yewa (Cow-Calf
Weekly website)
“Hog Heaven -- Pigs Live the Good Life at Washington Sanctuary,”
Seattle Times, Peyton Whitely, June 8, 2004
Abstract: Profiles Pigs Peace Sanctuary, a small Washington State sanctuary
with about 90 pigs.
http://www.indystar.com/articles/1/153090-9301-047.html
“Heinz Kerry has an Ecology Agenda,” Boston Globe, Michael
Kranish, June 4, 2004
Abstract: Emphasis as a profile piece on Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of Democratic
presidential candidate John Kerry, but includes specific references to
the Clean Air Act and Heinz Kerry’s influence as a potential first
lady.
http://tinyurl.com/3x8c4 (Boston
Globe website)
CONTENTS
- Study to Investigate Animal Stress and Food Safety
- Farmed Animal Genome Studies and Meat Production
- Global Cases of Diseases Impacting Farmed Animals
- Technical Information on the Welfare of Dairy
Cows
- Meat Producers and the Environment
- US Agriculture Census and Concentration of Animal
Farming
- Other Items of Interest
RESOURCES
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