August
25, 2004
Number 65, Volume 2
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1. ANIMAL WELFARE LABELS MISLEAD MEAT, EGG, AND DAIRY CONSUMERS
A new report from an international consortium of consumer groups starkly criticizes the labels on meat, dairy and egg products, saying that many are "vague" or "misleading." The report from Consumers International examines more than 80 labeling claims on 21 different product types from 8 different countries, including the US and countries from northern and eastern Europe. The product types were meant to represent a typical shopping basket for consumers in each country and included red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and milk, among other products. The report investigates a wide range of labeling claims such as "free range," "natural," and "cage free." In all cases the report finds that at least some labels are vague or outright misleading. The authors say that egg labeling claims are "complex and potentially confusing for all customers" and that the confusion is "widespread in all countries." Moreover, the report cites self-declared "free range" claims as "unsubstantiated, with no third party verification or public access to the standards." The report says that chicken products most frequently include misleading labels, and notes similar problems with labeling of fish products.
In the UK, a new campaign from the National Farmers Union will be launched to increase consumer awareness of the four-year-old "Little Red Tractor" logo. According to market research, only 2% of consumers who recognize the logo actually understand what it means. The logo claims to "cover all aspects of production on the farm from looking after the countryside to food hygiene and safety, what animals are fed and how they are cared for." The new campaign will develop promotional materials that include direct promises from farmers certified with the logo, which will be collected as part of a national contest. The advocacy group Compassion in World Farming measured the Little Red Tractor logo against 15 standards for animal welfare, including housing, handling, food, and others. In the vast majority of cases the guidelines put forward by the logo were found to be "either at, or below, the statutory minimum."
"REPORT: Green Food Claims," Consumers International, July 13, 2004
http://tinyurl.com/62p2l (Consumers
International website)
"New Campaign Shows Promise," Farmers Weekly Interactive, August 24, 2004
http://www.fwi.co.uk/article.asp?con=15799&sec=18&hier=2
"Don't Be Fooled by the Little Red Tractor," Compassion in World Farming
http://www.ciwf.org.uk/littleredtractor/
Little Red Tractor logo website, from Assured Food Standards
http://www.littleredtractor.org.uk/
2. CHINA: AVIAN INFLUENZA DISCOVERED IN PIGS
The deadly strain of Avian Influenza known as H5N1 that killed 27 people in Asia earlier this year has been found in pigs in a Chinese research lab. The finding by researchers at the Harbin Institute of Veterinary Medicine raises new concerns about the capacity of Avian Influenza to jump from birds to mammals. While the disease is known to spread from birds to people, its capacity to jump to other animal species may be indicative of more virulent strains that can more easily jump to and between human hosts. An expert from the World Health Organization states, "It is very important that we prepare for that eventuality." The researchers are awaiting tests to confirm that the animals were indeed infected with the disease instead of the virus being found only in the pigs' snouts.
"China Finds Deadly Bird Flu in Pigs," MSNBC / Associated Press, August 20, 2004
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5769980/
"Deadly Bird Flu Strain Turns Up in Pigs," Meatingplace.com, Ann Bagel, August 23, 2004
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/init.asp?iID=12920
3. BROILER CHICKEN WELFARE: TRANSPORT AND ALTERNATIVE FARMING
More than 6 in 10 "broiler" chickens found dead on arrival after being transported to a processing plant died as a result of problems with handling and management, according to a new study by the US Poultry and Egg Association. One of the study's researchers said, "Broilers that are dead-on-arrival at processing plants are a common occurrence throughout the poultry industry," although no specific numbers were provided. The study cites a number of causes of birds who are DOA, including heat stress during all processing phases, overcrowding, and prolonged transport time. However, the study also notes, "Determining the definitive cause of DOA during commercial live haul can be difficult due to the variety of factors that can impact the physical and physiological well-being of birds."
One alternative to intensive farming and transport of chickens is presented by a small farm in Illinois that claims to raise chickens naturally. JoAnn Dickman, one of the farm's founders, says she was seeking an alternative to mass-produced products from large chicken processors who "raise chickens in cages, pump them with antibiotics to ward off diseases and, in some cases, remove their beaks to keep them from pecking each other." At Dickman's farm, the owners say that chickens are never de-beaked, fed antibiotics or growth stimulants, or kept in cages. The farm raises and slaughters 4,000 chickens each year between March and October.
"Minimizing Mortality: Broiler Transport Mortalities," MeatNews.com, Domenick Castaldo, August 16, 2004
http://meatnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Article&artNum=8020
"Chicken Freed," Chicago Sun-Times, Sandra Guy, August 23, 2004
http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/cst-fin-egg23.html
4. FARMED FISH INDUSTRY A THREAT TO HABITAT AND HUMAN HEALTH
Globally, about one third of all seafood production is provided by fish farms, and this number is expected to grow to half of all production by the year 2050, according to a coordinator with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). And despite environmental and health concerns about farmed fish, NOAA is working on legislation to authorize and oversee large-scale, offshore fish farms. Opponents of such offshore farms say they are "concentrated animal operations in the water," that they risk spreading disease to native fish species, and that they result in a net loss of protein for human consumption. According to a fisherman's association representative, "It takes roughly 5 pounds of feed fish to produce 1 pound of farm fish." One fish farmer disagrees, claiming instead that it takes 10 pounds of wild fish to produce 1 pound of migrating salmon. On the issue of human health, the American Journal of Environmental Science and Technology recently found farmed salmon to have higher levels of contaminants. In the US, fish are not farmed exclusively for direct human consumption; one Arkansas company breeds more than 6 billion minnows and 250 million goldfish each year for use as bait and animal feed, as well as for sale to the pet industry.
"Offshore Fish Farming Roils Growing Debate," Seattle P-I, Charles Pope, August 23, 2004
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/187486_fish19.html
"Arkansas Farm Produces Most US Goldfish," Yahoo News / Associated Press, Caryn Rousseau, August 22,2004
http://tinyurl.com/4fjf3 (Yahoo
News website)
"Government Reassures Public over Safety of Farmed Salmon," just-food.com, August 20, 2004
http://just-food.com/nd.asp?art=58437
5. BSE PRESENCE IN U.S. HERDS; INDUSTRY REACTS TO STRICTER LAWS
PRESENCE IN US: According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), "It is likely but not confirmed that (US) domestic cattle are … infected with the (mad cow) agent." The group issued the opinion in a report to the European Commission, citing data collected from 1980-2003. As a result, the EFSA raised its BSE risk assessment of the US (and Canada) to "likely but not confirmed or confirmed at a lower level;" the previous assessment was noted as "unlikely." EFSA also reassessed the risk of cow herds in Norway, Sweden, Mexico, and South Africa.
INDUSTRY REACTION: Also in the US, the animal farming industry is arguing that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) need not ban the regular feeding of animals to other animals. The measure is being considered by the FDA as a means of controlling the risk of BSE, specifically. The US cow slaughter industry produces about 1.5 trillion pounds of waste product, which accounts for about 45% of each cow. The meat industry says that currently about a third of the rendered cattle parts are made into feed for chickens and turkeys, a third into pet food, 15% into feed for pigs, and the remainder into other products. More than 37 million cows are killed each year for food in the US.
"Panel Says Mad Cow Likely in U.S. Herd," United Press International, August 24, 2004
http://www.wbex.com/script/headline_newsmanager.php?id=341581
"EU Raises BSE Threat Level in the US," Meatingplace.com, John Gregerson,
August 23, 2004
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/init.asp?iID=12917
"Meat Industry Fights Stricter Regulations," Scripps Howard, Lance Gay,
August 20, 2004
http://www.knoxstudio.com/shns/story.cfm?pk=FEEDBAN-08-20-04&cat=WW
"Pork Summit Tackles Downers and Traceability," Meatingplace.com, Brendan O'Neill, August 23, 2004
A summit hosted by the National Pork Board focused on recent trends and developments in "downer" (non-ambulatory) pigs and animal identification and tracking.
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/init.asp?iID=12915
"Alpacas Becoming Popular Among New Jersey Farmers," New Brunswick Home News Tribune, August 23, 2004
Alpacas, first imported into the US in 1984, now number 52,000 in the country, most of whom are raised for breeding, while others are raised for the cashmere-like fiber they produce.
http://www.thnt.com/thnt/story/0,21282,1033192,00.html
"Groups Weigh in on Food Pyramid Revisions," Seattle P-I / Associated Press, August 19, 2004
The USDA's invitation for public comments on revisions to the food pyramid and the department's dietary recommendations prompts opposing suggestions from special interest groups.
http://tinyurl.com/4qthc
"Yolo Lawsuit Targets Dairy Expansion," Sacramento Bee, Pamela Martineau, August 20, 2004
The Sierra Club filed a lawsuit in California to stop a dairy from increasing its herd from 1,500 to 2,800 dairy cows, claiming it would violate county regulations.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/10441007p-11360499c.html
"Bedding on Geotextile Mattresses: How Much is Needed to Improve Cow Comfort?" Journal of Dairy Science, Volume 87, CB Tucker, DM Weary
A study by researchers at the University of British Columbia demonstrates that dairy cows respond favorably when provided with increased amounts of sawdust bedding.
http://jds.fass.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/9/2889?etoc
CONTENTS
- Animal Welfare Labels Mislead Meat, Egg, and
Dairy Consumers
- China: Avian Influenza Discovered in Pigs
- Broiler Chicken Welfare: Transport and Alternative
Farming
- Farmed Fish Industry a Threat to Habitat and
Human Health
- BSE Presence in US Herds; Industry Reacts to
Stricter Laws
- Other Items of Interest
RESOURCES
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Compiled and edited by Hedy Litke and Che Green, Farmed Animal Watch
is a free weekly electronic news digest of information concerning farmed
animal issues gleaned from an array of academic, industry, advocacy and
mainstream media sources.
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