June
30 , 2004
Number 57, Volume 2
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Animal Watch is sponsored by Animal
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Welfare Trust, Farm
Sanctuary, The Fund
for Animals, Glaser
Progress Foundation, and People
for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
1. TWO POSSIBLE DISCOVERIES OF BSE IN THE U.S.
Preliminary
tests conducted by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicate two
separate cases of possible Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, or “mad
cow” disease) in the United States. The first occurred on June 25,
while the second possible case was announced on June 29. The USDA has
maintained that the tests are inconclusive and that the findings show
that there is no risk to human health. The dead animals’ bodies
are undergoing further testing and results are expected within a few days.
The potential BSE discoveries have come very soon after the USDA announced
expanded BSE testing of more than 220,000 high-risk cows that began in
early June 2004. Responding to the most recent news, one USDA official
said that it was “not unexpected” that the expanded testing
program would find BSE-positive animals. The first case of BSE in the
US was discovered in December 2003 in Washington State (See FAW #39 -
http://www.farmedanimal.net/Newsletters/Newslettern39v2.htm).
“USDA Surveillance Yields another Inconclusive BSE Test,”
Meatingplace.com, Ann Bagel, June 30, 2004
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/pop.asp?ID=12607
“Inconclusive BSE Test Result Should Not Cause Consumer Concern,”
The Poultry Site, June 28, 2004
http://www.thepigsite.com/LatestNews/Default.asp?AREA=LatestNews&Display=7789
USDA News Releases:
June 29: http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0266.04.html
June 25: http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0263.04.html
2. OTHER BSE NEWS: INTERNATIONAL TRADE; SCIENCE UPDATE
In
May 2004 it was announced that 33 million pounds of processed beef had
entered the US from Canada over a six month period, despite a ban on such
products due to the discovery of BSE in Alberta last year (See FAW #52
- http://www.farmedanimal.net/Newsletters/Newslettern52v2.htm).
Now several US senators are saying that the USDA also allowed the import
of cows’ brains and spinal cords, known as “specified risk
materials,” for carrying BSE. Senate minority leader Tom Daschle
and others are calling for an investigation by the USDA’s inspector
general, as well as congressional hearings. The department is also under
fire from food and consumer groups, who on June 22 issued a “report
card” of the USDA’s handling of BSE. The department was given
a “B” for its policy against allowing “downed”
animals in the human food supply and a “C” for identification
and tracking of cows. The USDA received lower grades for eight other issues,
including BSE testing, meat recalls, and labeling.
In related news, one researcher of BSE and other “brain-wasting”
diseases has released data indicating that the cause of such diseases
may be bacterial instead of coming from “prions” (malformed
proteins). Challenging the perspective of most scientists, Dr. Frank Bastian
says he may have uncovered a link between chronic wasting disease (similar
to BSE, but affecting deer) and scrapie, the equivalent in sheep. The
evidence has yet to be verified, however, as scientists continue to debate
the issue.
“Democrats Say USDA Eased Mad Cow Rules for Canada, Reuters via
AlertNet, Randy Fabi, June 24, 2004
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24353347.htm
“Groups Chide USDA on Mad Cow, “ The Associated Press, June
23, 2004
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/US/06/23/mad.cow.ap/
“Mad Cow-like Diseases Linked by Bacteria,” United Press
International, Steve Mitchell, June 25, 2004
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040624-054020-7633r
3. COMMENTS TO USDA OVERHWELMINGLY FAVOR “DOWNER” BAN
99%
of the nearly 22,000 public comments received by the USDA favor a ban
on slaughtering “downed” animals for human consumption, according
to a new report from The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The
estimate is based on more than 5,200 comments released by the USDA for
public viewing, some from industry groups that favor the ban. However,
there is significant disagreement among industry groups, and several have
changed their positions on the ban since it was originally proposed following
the discovery of BSE in a downed animal last December. HSUS cites the
National Milk Producers Federation, which in May 2004 reversed its position
that the downer ban’s impact would be “fairly minor”
for farmers. Responding to these and similar pressures, two US congressional
representatives in April introduced a bill to reverse the downer ban.
HSUS chief executive Wayne Pacelle, “This bill would gut the common
sense definition of ‘downer’ that was established at the end
of 2003 by the USDA.”
“Report: Public Comments Show Support for 'Downer' Ban,”
Meatingplace.com, Ann Bagel, June 30, 2004
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/pop.asp?ID=12599
“Industry Backpedals on Mad Cow but Public Support for Downer Ban
Is Clear,” HSUS, Karen Graham
http://www.hsus.org/ace/21202
4. GROUP SUES STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR BEEF COVER-UP
A
lawsuit has been filed against the Washington State Attorney General’s
office for alleged violation of public records laws relating to the state’s
investigation of IBP in 2000. Humane Farming Association (HFA), an animal
advocacy group, complained to the Attorney General four years ago that
cows at the IBP plant were being “strung up and processed alive.”
According to an HFA news release, public documents indicate that the state’s
investigation was tainted by a pre-formed communication plan and an evident
desire to protect IBP. The HFA suit claims that the state misused “statutory
exemptions to avoid accountability for favoritism toward the company that
was supposed to be the target of the criminal investigation.” HFA
also claims to have documented proof that IBP continues the inhumane and
potentially illegal practice of processing live animals.
“Animal-rights Group Sues Attorney General's Office,” The
Associated Press, Donna Gordon Blankinship, June 26, 2004
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/179673_slaughter26.html
“Gregoire Documents Show ‘Big Beef’ Runs the Show,”
United Poultry Concerns, Greg Howard, June 25, 2004
http://lists.envirolink.org/pipermail/ar-news/Week-of-Mon-20040621/026338.html
(AR-News link)
5. INTENSIVE ANIMAL FARMING INCREASING RISK OF HUMAN ILLNESS
Intensive
farming of animals is making food less nutritious and increasing the risk
of diseases spreading from animals to humans. A group of international
scientists has warned that moving animals from grass-based feed to the
predominantly grain-based feed used for intensive farming may eventually
lead to widespread mental illness. The researchers say that using grain-based
feed results in relatively higher levels of omega-6 lipids in humans compared
to omega-3 lipids. One scientist said of the finding, “We are facing
a health crisis more serious and more dangerous than that posed by obesity
in the West.” Elevated levels of omega-6s and lower levels of omega-3s
are linked to depression and behavior issues.
Another study by researchers from the US and China has found that avian
influenza is mutating into more deadly strains that may prove significantly
more fatal for mammals, including humans. A comparison of strains of avian
influenza from 1999/2000 and 2001/2002 showed that the latter group was
significantly more pathogenic to mice during laboratory tests. The increased
risk to mammals has prompted the researchers to call for quick and decisive
action from government and industry. Avian influenza has been found on
chicken farms in several states in the US, most recently in Texas.
“Food Defect Could Make Thousands Mentally Ill,” The Guardian,
Robin McKie, June 27, 2004
http://www.guardian.co.uk/food/Story/0,2763,1248371,00.html
“Study: Bird Flu Mutating into More Deadly Threat,“ Reuters
via Planet Ark, Maggie Fox, June 29, 2004
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/25744/story.htm
“Texas Finds another Case of Bird Flu,” Washington Times,
June 23, 2004
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040623-045035-6457r.htm
6. INVESTIGATION SHOWS INHUMANE TREATMENT OF FARMED PHEASANTS
In
the UK, a new undercover investigation has revealed that pheasants and
partridges bred for “shooting estates” are raised in “appalling”
conditions. Of the estimated 20 million pheasants bred for hunting each
year, a large number die before being sold; one farm reported a mortality
rate of about 8% is considered successful. Throughout the UK, this translates
to an estimated 1.5 million birds that die prematurely due to intensive
confinement and disease. The investigation also details specific acts
of abuse, including workers “bashing” the head of a disabled
bird against the wall to kill it and using cigarette lighters to cauterize
wounds. One industry representative defended the practice as consistent
with other farming methods, saying it is “no different from any
other type of livestock farming.”
“Scandal of Factory Farmed Pheasants,” The Observer, Antony
Barnett, June 27, 2004
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1248226,00.html
“Understanding and Control of Gangrenous Dermatitis in Poultry Houses,”
University of Arkansas, June 2004
In brief: Looks at the problem of Gangrenous Dermatitis among “broiler”
chickens and discusses methods of prevention and control; also discusses
other welfare abuses and sufferings including cellulitis, viruses, and
increasing hysteria and lack of resistance to stress in the birds. (Thanks
to Karen Davis for forwarding this article)
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/FeaturedArticle/FATopic.asp?Display=173
“Can Animals You Eat be Treated Humanely?” MSNBC, Jon Bonné,
June 28, 2004
In Brief: Profiles Temple Grandin and her past and planned approaches
to promote humane raising and slaughtering practices on US farms; also
discusses her interest in the welfare of “broiler” chickens.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5271434/
“Now, It's Not Personal!” WorldWatch Magazine, July/August
2004 issue
In Brief: How the “mass production and consumption of animal flesh
has become a huge challenge to the stability of climate, forest cover,
fresh water, and human health.”
http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/mag/2004/174/
(To purchase article)
UK: “Animal Welfare Code to Guide Government Decision-Making,”
PA News, Graham Hiscott, June 24, 2004
In Brief: The UK government has issued guidelines for its future decision-making
regarding the health and welfare of all animals, including those on farms.
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3108079
UK: “Egg-eating Halved Since 1975,” Farmers Weekly Interactive,
June 24, 2004
In Brief: UK government indicates that British consumers eat half the
amount of eggs and drink a third less milk than they did nearly thirty
years ago.
http://www.fwi.co.uk/article.asp?con=15070&sec=18&hier=2&email=1
“AVMA Responds Falsely to New York Times Ad,” United Poultry
Concerns News Release, June 28, 2004
In Brief: Activist group United Poultry Concerns – who recently
ran an ad in the NY Times criticizing the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA) – claims the AVMA provided a false response to
the ad.
http://www.upc-online.org/nr/62804avma.htm
“Cows' Poisoning an Accident,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer,
Lewis Kamb, June 28, 2004
In Brief: A criminal investigation into the mysterious death of three
cows in Washington State has shown that the cows were killed by a toxic
substance on the farm, shutting down concerns over possible bioterrorism.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/179778_cows28.html
“French Reality TV's 'Celebrity Farm' Sued,” Big News Network.com,
June 25, 2004
In Brief: French reality TV show is being sued by the providers of farmed
animals for alleged mishandling that resulted in the death of at least
17 animals.
http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?rid=6d25940e0b8e4626&cat=dd8845aa60952db2
CONTENTS
- Two Possible Discoveries of BSE in the US
- Other
BSE News: International Trade; Science Update
- Comments
to USDA Overwhelmingly Favor “Downer” Ban
- Group
Sues State Attorney General for Beef Cover-Up
- Intensive
Animal Farming Increasing Risk of Human Illness
- Investigation
Shows Inhumane Treatment of Farmed Pheasants
- Other
Items of Interest
RESOURCES
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Farmed Animal Watch is a free electronic news digest of information concerning
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