June
23 , 2004
Number 56, Volume 2
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1. CALIFORNIA: ROCKET FUEL FOUND IN MILK; REGULATION OF COW WASTE
Separate
research findings from the California state government and an environmental
watchdog group indicate that the state’s milk supply contains potentially
dangerous levels of perchlorate, an ingredient in rocket fuel that has
been linked to thyroid problems in humans. Perchlorate taints drinking
water in at least 20 US states and the EPA advocates a standard of less
than 1 part per billion (ppb), while California officials say the chemical
is dangerous at levels above 6 ppb. In Arizona, one study showed that
perchlorate levels of 1-2 ppb impacted the thyroids of pregnant women
and infants. The studies - conducted by the California Department of Food
and Agriculture and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) - show perchlorate
levels averaging between 1.3 and 10.6 ppb in counties throughout California.
The government study was completed in April, but its findings were not
confirmed until the recent publication of the EWG study.
Also in California, regulators are proposing laws that would require dairy
producers to limit the impact of smog-producing emissions from cow waste
in the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The proposed rule
would require dairy operations to clear manure from their corrals four
times each year beginning in 2005, compared to two currently. By 2006
dairy operations would be required to use “environmentally friendly
means” of eliminating any waste not used as fertilizer. The district’s
governing board will hold a public hearing on August 6, after which it
will vote on the proposal.
“Rocket Fuel Found in Milk in California,” San Francisco Chronicle,
Glen Martin, June 22, 2004
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/06/22/MNGB87A0J51.DTL
“Rocket-Fuel Chemical Toxin Found in Milk, Associated Press via
CNN, June 22, 2004
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/06/22/milk.chemical.ap/
“California Seeks Reduced Pollution from Cows,” Seattle PI,
Tim Molloy, June 16, 2004
http://tinyurl.com/3x8ft (Seattle
PI website)
2. CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE (VCJD) KILLS WOMAN IN FLORIDA
A
woman born in England but living in Florida since 1992 has become the
US’s first known fatality from variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
(vCJD), the human form of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). The
25-year old woman died on June 20 after being diagnosed with the disease
in April of 2002. The woman is believed to have contracted vCJD by consuming
BSE-tainted beef as a resident of London, England.
“Florida Woman Dies of Probable vCJD,” CIDRAP News, June
22, 2004
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/hot/bse/news/june2204vcjd.html
Original CDC News Release, April 18, 2002
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r020418.htm
3. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE: OUTBREAKS IN S. AMERICA; TESTS IN UK
Separate
cases of the highly-contagious Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) have been
confirmed in Peru and Brazil. Peru, which last reported an outbreak in
2000, said that eight infected cows and another eighty at-risk cows have
been killed in response. In Brazil, three cases of FMD have been confirmed
on a farm with 130 cows in total. As a result, Russia has temporarily
suspended cow and pig product imports from Brazil; Russia is Brazil’s
largest importer of meat products. Peru does not export beef, but the
country’s government said that the current FMD outbreak is under
control while also expressing concern about the potential for fruits and
vegetables to carry the disease.
In the UK, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
will stage a mock FMD outbreak to test the country’s response on
June 29 and 30. England experienced a large outbreak of FMD in 2001, when
more than six million animals were killed to prevent further spread of
the disease. The mock outbreak is in part meant to test the viability
of vaccinations as an initial response to a new outbreak, but DEFRA officials
say that the slaughter of animals will remain the first option in preventing
the spread of FMD when outbreaks occur.
“Russia Bans Brazilian Beef, Pork after FMD Outbreak, Meatingplace.com,
Brendan O'Neill, June 22, 2004
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/pop.asp?ID=12553
“Peru Reports Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak, Says Controlled,” Reuters
via Planet Ark, Jude Webber, June 21, 2004
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/25607/story.htm
“DEFRA to Stage New Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease,” Western
Morning News, June 19, 2004
http://tinyurl.com/3xnhc
(Western Morning News website)
4. AVMA UNDER FIRE FROM ANIMAL ACTIVISTS; VET FIELD STUDIED
On
June 21, the New York Times ran an advertisement starkly criticizing the
American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) record on farmed
animal welfare. The ad, developed and funded by a consortium of animal
protection groups, called on readers to contact their veterinarians and
the AVMA in order to influence the groups’ policies on the treatment
of pregnant and nursing pigs, egg-laying hens, and veal calves. In related
news, Farm Sanctuary recently conducted an opinion survey among more than
1,000 veterinarians in the US and found that “most veterinarians
oppose industrialized farming practices that are supported by the AVMA.”
The survey shows veterinarians’ opinions on eight controversial
farming practices related to farmed animal confinement, feeding, tail-docking,
transport, and slaughter. See below for links to both the NY Times advertisement
and the Farm Sanctuary survey.
Farmed animal veterinarians are also the topic of a new study by researchers
at Kansas State University. KSU business professors, with support from
a coalition of veterinary groups (including the AVMA), are assessing the
demand for farmed animal veterinary medicine and the future supply of
veterinarians in the US. The $300,000 project will study student recruitment
into the field, retention, training, and other issues for new and prospective
farmed animal veterinarians.
NY Times Ad Criticizing the AVMA:
http://www.ari-online.org/campaigns.html
Farm Sanctuary Position on the AVMA (with survey results):
http://www.farmsanctuary.org/campaign/AVMA_campaign.htm
“Food Animal Veterinarians – Study,” Animal Health
News and Notes, June 18, 2004
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/505388/
5. FORMER MEAT AND DAIRY LOBBYISTS APPOINTED TO USDA POSITIONS
US
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ann Veneman has appointed two
former meat and dairy industry lobbyists to two top positions. Mike Torrey,
a former Vice President with the International Dairy Foods Association,
joined USDA in February of 2003 and will take the Deputy Chief of Staff
spot. Alisa Harrison, the former publication relations director of the
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, has been with the USDA since
March, 2003 and will now serve as the department’s Communications
Director. Both announcements were made on June 21, 2004.
“Veneman Announces Key Staff Appointments,” USDA News Release,
June 21, 2004
http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0250.04.html
6. ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY: BURPING SHEEP; PIG WASTE
Scientists
in Germany have developed a serum that reduces environmentally damaging
methane gas emitted by burping sheeps, cows, and other ruminants. Sheep
are said to produce about seven kilograms of methane each year per animal,
while cows produce about 114 grams; the serum is said to reduce methane
emissions by eight percent. In the US, a new technology known as “Super
Soils” has demonstrated that it can significantly reduce ammonia,
odor, and pathogens from pig waste. The technology is one of several possibilities
for handling the reduction in pig waste-related problems as mandated by
an agreement between Smithfield Foods and the North Carolina Attorney
General’s Office. Pig farmers are expressing concern about the economic
impact of implementing the expensive systems.
“Scientists Develop Antidote for Burping Sheep,” Reuters
via Planet Ark, June 22, 2004
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/25627/story.htm
“Farmers May Balk at Hog Waste System,” Raleigh News, Barbara
Barrett, June 21, 2004
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1356054p-7479443c.html
“Three Cows Die in Washington (State) After Toxin Exposure,”
Washington Post, By Marc Kaufman, June 22, 2004
In brief: The FBI and local law officers are investigating a possible
prank or criminal offense involving three dairy cows who died recently
from toxic exposure on a farm in Washington State.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59415-2004Jun22.html
“A Rough Game, Poultry Companies' Contract System is Keeping Poultry
Farmers on a Very Tight Leash,” Journalnow.com, Monte Mitchell,
June 21, 2004 (forwarded from Paul Shapiro)
In brief: Article discusses the structure of the US chicken farming
industry, including the delicate relationship between contract growers
and large producers, as well as the government’s limited influence.
http://tinyurl.com/2xcru
(Journalnow.com website)
“Legislation to Ban Foie Gras Moves Forward,” Farm Sanctuary
News, June 23, 2004
In brief: Activist group Farm Sanctuary alert details the passage
of SB 1520 out of committee and to the full Senate; SB 1520 would ban
the production and sale of foie gras in California.
http://www.nofoiegras.org/FS_cabill.htm
“Group Wants Zoo to Refashion Kids' Farm,” Washington Post,
June 17, 2004
In brief: Activist group Compassion Over Killing has asked the US National
Zoo to modify a new exhibit for children that they claim misrepresents
the lives and treatment of farmed animals.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47999-2004Jun16.html
“Franchising Emerges as New Way to Spread the Meatless Message,”
The San Diego Union, Jordan Robertson, June 18, 2004
In brief: Article discusses both successful and failed attempts at
vegan-only and vegetarian-only fast food restaurant chains.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040618/news_1b18vegan.html
CONTENTS
- California: Rocket Fuel Found in Milk; Regulation
of Cow Waste
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) Kills Woman
in Florida
- Foot and Mouth Disease: Outbreaks in S. America;
Tests in UK
- AVMA Under Fire from Animal Activists; Vet Field
Studied
- Former Meat and Dairy Lobbyists Appointed to
USDA Positions
- Environment and Technology: Burping Sheep; Pig
Waste
- Other Items of Interest
RESOURCES
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