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1. US Farmed Animal
Slaughter Statistics
In the United States, slaughter (and other on-farm deaths) of farmed animals increased to nearly 10 BILLION individuals in 2003, not including any types of aquatic animals. This number is expected to increase by 2.5% to a total of 10.2 billion for calendar year 2004. Most of the increase in slaughter will be driven by the growth of the "broiler" chicken industry; more than 95% of animals killed for food in the US are broiler chickens. For 2004, increases are also expected in the slaughter of ducks and pigs, although total slaughter of turkeys, cows, calves, and sheep is expected to decrease somewhat. The number of egg-laying hens killed is expected to decrease substantially in 2004. According to the FARM report cited below, "The rise in the (2004) animal death toll is double the US population increase and reflects the continuing trend of switching from cow meat to chicken meat."
Please see below for a partial summary of total 2003 US slaughter estimates (including other on-farm deaths), by type of animal. Again, please note this does not include aquatic animals; also omitted are lambs, goats, horses, and bison.
-- 9,080 million (9.1 billion) "broiler" chickens
-- 416 million "layer" chickens
-- 294 million turkeys
-- 123 million pigs
-- 42 million cows and calves (for beef and veal)
-- 26 million ducks
-- 4 million sheep
"Animal Death Statistics Report 2004," FARM, 10/2004
PDF file (47k): http://www.wfad.org/mediacenter/victimsreport.pdf
"2002-2003 Statistical Highlights of US Agriculture," USDA / NASS, various dates
http://www.usda.gov/nass/pubs/stathigh/2003/lvstkindex.htm
Also see: "Statistics - Global Farmed Animal Slaughter," Farmed Animal Watch #68, 9/15/04
http://www.farmedanimal.net/Newsletters/Newslettern68v2.htm
2. UK Consumer News: Contaminated Chicken Meat; Guinea Pigs
CHICKEN MEAT: 23 metric tons of so-called free-range chicken meat sold throughout the UK contained nitrofuran, an antibacterial veterinary drug that was banned by the European Union in 1995. Research has shown that nitrofuran can potentially cause cancer in humans, and the drug was also banned by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2002. The contaminated meat was produced by Northern Ireland's largest food processor, Moy Park Ltd., which slaughters more than a million chickens every week. According to a company spokesperson, "Organic birds are reared outdoors… so we are looking at the soil, the grass, chemicals used to clean the houses - whatever." All of the contaminated chicken meat is said to be past the due date to be sold, so the UK government has issued a warning to consumers who may have frozen the chicken for later consumption.
GUINEA PIGS: Scientists in Peru have created a new breed of guinea pig that they say produces meat that is higher in protein and lower in cholesterol than beef, pork, lamb, and chicken meat. As a country, Peru consumes about 65 million guinea pigs every year, but the new breed is also intended for western markets, including the UK. A company in Peru is exporting up to 1,000 of the new breed of guinea pigs every week and expects to expand to the UK despite the protests of some animal advocates and guinea pig owners.
"Major British Poultry Producer Finds Cancer-Causing Drug in Chicken Batch," Canadian Press, 10/21/04
http://tinyurl.com/6epra
(Canada.com website)
"UK: FSA Warns about Contaminated Chicken," Just-food.com, 10/21/04
http://www.just-food.com/news_detail.asp?art=58988&dm=yes
"Grilled Guinea Pigs are Low in Cholesterol: Coming to UK Restaurants," National Post, 10/25/04
http://tinyurl.com/4s7ob
(AnimalNet website)
3. California Turkey Farm Investigation and Open Rescue
An animal advocacy group has released the findings from an undercover investigation of a "free-range" turkey farm in Northern California, where they conducted an "open rescue" of eleven turkeys. The investigation and report from East Bay Animal Advocates claims to reveal "that free-range turkey farming is quite similar to intensive, commercial turkey production." The group also cites a poultry expert: "Most free-range birds are still fenced in corrals… these birds are raised much like the regular turkeys." The group's findings include graphic photos of the farm and the conditions of the turkeys, including a number of evidently dead or dying birds. East Bay Animal Advocates is asking the USDA to improve welfare standards for all free-range birds.
"Advocacy Group Exposes the Myth Behind 'Free-Range' Turkey Farming," PR WEB, 10/23/04
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2004/10/emw170657.htm
Also see: http://www.free-range-turkey.com
4. Veterinarians: AVMA Gestation Crate Forum; Teachers' Opinions
GESTATION CRATE FORUM: On November 5, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) will host a forum on the welfare of pigs, specifically "the science and ethics behind how pregnant pigs are housed." The forum will include six experts on pig farming and pig welfare, including Dr. Michael Appleby of the Humane Society of the United States. The program will include discussion of the welfare of pigs in group versus individual housing, aggression among pigs in group housing, and "the ethical and moral belief systems of producers, caretakers, and consumers." The event is being held in Chicago, Illinois and registration closes on October 29.
TEACHERS' OPINIONS: A survey of veterinary school teachers in the US shows that they are more comfortable with the process of raising and slaughtering cows and sheep than chickens and pigs. According to the lead author of the study, soon to be released in the Journal of the AVMA, "We definitely found that veterinary medical faculty have different animal welfare ideas depending on species." According to the research, half of survey respondents are concerned with the practice of dehorning cows; about 25-30% are concerned with castrating cows, and 90% are concerned with lameness in cows. The article also cites a previous study in which a majority of animal science faculty members believe that "the predominant methods used to produce various types of animal products provide appropriate levels of animal welfare."
Event: "Animal Welfare
Forum: Sow Housing and Welfare," AVMA, Scheduled for
11/5/04
http://www.avma.org/animal_welfare/awf/2004/default.asp
"AVMA Welfare Forum to Address Gestation Crates,"
Farm Sanctuary, 10/24/04
http://www.farmsanctuary.org/campaign/AVMA_forum.htm
"Animal Welfare Attitudes, Concerns Vary Among DVM Faculty," DVM Newsmagazine, 10/1/04
http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=126482
5. International Markets Reopen to U.S. Beef Products
After a 10-month ban on US beef imports, Japan, Taiwan, and potentially Korea have agreed to partially lift the ban and resume importing some beef products. Specifically, Japan has agreed to allow imports of beef from cows age 20 months or under, but several conditions apply. Until recently, Japan had not yielded on its demand for universal testing of US cows for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or "mad cow" disease). Except for that point, however, Japan achieved its other goals in the trade negotiations, including improved traceability of beef products, and has given the US 45 days to prove those changes have been made. The US must also demonstrate that it can effectively identify the age of cows through a process called ossification. According to one beef producer, "The USDA has been saying that testing of cattle under 21 months of age for BSE is 'unscientific,' and the Japanese are throwing that right back in our faces." Exports to Japan were valued at $1.7 billion for 2003, while exports to Taiwan were valued at $325 million during the same year.
"US Beef Industry 'Cautiously Optimistic' About Reopened Japanese Trade," Meatingplace.com, 10/26/04
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/init.asp?iID=13288
"Japan, US Reach Interim Agreement on Beef Trade," The Pig Site, 10/25/04
http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=10546&cid=5&cname=Asia
"Taiwan to Open Border to US Beef Exports," Meatingplace.com, 10/26/04
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/init.asp?iID=13293
6. Other Items of Interest
USDA Secretary Ann Veneman announced on October 21 that the department will reestablish the industry-based advisory committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP).
"USDA Renews Poultry Committee," High Plains Journal, 10/21/04
http://www.hpj.com/dtnnewstable.cfm?type=story&sid=12870
The UK government has issued a two-part amended "guidance" on the welfare of animals during transport; covers animal health and protection, space allowances, and other welfare issues relating to transporting animals.
"Guidance on the Welfare of Animals (Transport)," UK DEFRA, 10/26/04
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport/guideandpub.htm
An investigation regarding slaughtering animals at a public high school in Oregon has revealed that several sheep were slaughtered without proper stunning, a violation of federal regulations.
"District Says Killing Must be Humane," The Oregonian, 10/26/04
http://tinyurl.com/3l4nn
(The Oregonian website)
Christian Science Monitor article on the "Animal Care Certified" logo that appears on 80% of eggs sold in the US and which consumer and animal advocates claim is a misrepresentation of the treatment of hens.
"'Cage-Free' Eggs: Not All They're Cracked Up to Be?" The Christian Science Monitor, 10/27/04
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1027/p15s01-lifo.html
For the past decade China has tried to make an industry of farming crocodiles, with little success due to low prices and inefficient breeding operations; one of the world's largest crocodile farms has 60-70,000 animals.
"Crocodile Husbandry Is Really Hard, China Finds," New York Times, 10/23/04
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/23/international/asia/23crocodile.html
Scientists at the USDA and the University of Missouri have completed a study demonstrating that young, cloned pigs have weakened immune systems and are less able to fight disease than non-cloned pigs.
"Study Shows Differences in Natural Immunity in Cloned Pigs," USDA / ARS, 10/26/04
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2004/041026.htm
In-depth article on the slaughter of horses in the US; highlights the irony of American Airlines, a lead sponsor of the Breeders' Cup and also one of the leading transporters of horsemeat from Texas.
"Breeders' Cup Saddled with Nagging Issue," San Antonio News, 10/24/04
http://tinyurl.com/4zzw2
(MySanAntonio.com website - Registration Required)
A federal Canadian bill to update animal cruelty laws and outlaw the "killing of an animal without a lawful excuse" has stalled three times in the Senate; Canada's animal cruelty laws have not been updated since 1892.
"Jane Goodall Urges PM to Pass Animal Cruelty Bill," Toronto Star, 10/20/04
http://tinyurl.com/4b98a
(Toronto Star website - Registration required)
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