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1. Large-Scale Pig Farms and Antibiotics Linked
to Asthma in Children
Research from the University of Iowa shows that children
living on pig farms - especially large pig farms -
are more likely to have asthma than children living
on farms without pigs. The article appears in the
journal "Environmental Health Perspectives" (12/04)
and is based on research with 644 children up to age
17 residing on farms in Keokuk County, Iowa. The research
found the risk of asthma among children is higher
on large-scale pig farms where it is more likely that
antibiotics are used to treat the animals. Further,
the presence of asthma for children living on farms
without pigs was 34%, compared to 46% of children
living on farms with more than 500 pigs. More than
half (56%) of children living on large pig farms that
also regularly feed the animals antibiotics showed
signs of asthma. The article's lead researcher stated,
"The addition of antibiotics may serve as an indicator
of larger swine operations, however, it is plausible
that this route of antibiotic exposure may play some
causal role in the development of childhood asthma.
We believe that some of the increase in asthma risk
is related to occupational and bystander exposures
in animal feeding operations." The full text of the
journal article is available online (see below).
"Increased Asthma Found Among Iowa Children Living On Hog Farms," University of Iowa, 12/9/04
http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/newsletter/release_detail.asp?rlsId=91
"Kids' Asthma, Hog Farms Linked," Des Moines Register, 12/10/04
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041210/LIFE02/412100392/1042
Full Article, PDF File, 330k: http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/2004/7240/7240.pdf
2.
Bird Welfare: French Foie Gras Investigation; UPC Releases Behavior Video
FOIE GRAS VIDEO: The Animal Protection and Rescue
League (APRL) and In Defense of Animals (IDA) have
released new video footage from an investigation of
foie gras producers in France. The investigation,
conducted by French activists, details the practice
of force-feeding geese and ducks to rapidly and unnaturally
increase the size of their livers for foie gras, considered
a delicacy in France and elsewhere. The newly released
video shows each step of the production process in
graphic detail, and asks viewers to sign a "manifesto"
to end the practice of force-feeding in France. The
manifesto currently has thousands of signatories,
including animal advocacy groups and concerned individuals.
BEHAVIOR VIDEO: Poultry advocacy group United Poultry
Concerns (UPC) has released a new video showing examples
of how rescued birds behave once relocated to a sanctuary.
The 12-minute video shows the primary behaviors of
chickens, turkeys, and ducks, including dust-bathing,
scratching, and eating. According to UPC President
Karen Davis, the video demonstrates that "while most
birds come to our sanctuary exhausted, dirty, and
virtually featherless, those who survive undergo remarkable
changes under the stimulus of an environment that
activates their natural instincts."
"Animal Cruelty Investigation of 'Foie Gras' Farms
in France Released," APRL / IDA, 12/7/04
http://www.stopforcefeeding.com/news_media.html
"Manifesto for the Abolition of Foie Gras" (French campaign site)
http://www.stopgavage.com/en/
"Behavior of Rescued Factory-Farmed Chickens in a Sanctuary Setting," United Poultry Concerns, 12/15/04
http://www.upc-online.org/nr/121504video.htm
3.
More than 50,000 Dairy Cows to Be Slaughtered to Maintain Milk Prices
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) will
pay dairy farmers to send 52,000 cows to slaughter
to raise milk prices. They expect to remove 931 million
pounds of milk from US markets, representing just
over half a percent of the national milk supply. This
is the second year of the program; last year NMPF
paid dairy farmers to slaughter 35,000 cows. Milk
prices have been in a slump for nearly three decades,
and the program is one method of artificially keeping
production down and prices up. According to NMPF,
farmers who participate in the program, which requires
a fee of five cents for every 100 pounds of milk,
represent 70% of the annual milk production in the
country. According to one representative from The
Humane Society of the United State, who criticizes
the program, animal agribusiness "has had a long-standing
attitude of efficiency above all else. Animals are
being discarded when they don't fit the market scheme."
"Cooperatives Working Together Accepts 378 Herd Retirement Bids," NMPF, 11/17/04
http://www.nmpf.org/newsFlash/index.cfm?sectionsCode=PR&nfID=215
"Dairy Farmers to Slaughter More Cows to Get Prices Up," Aberdeen News / Associated Press, 12/11/04
http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/10395234.htm
4.
Illegal Slaughter of Animals a Growing Trend in Some US States
North
Carolina state agriculture officials say that illegal
butchering of animals is on the rise, with two major
operations found so far this year. Department of Agriculture
inspectors say that the growth is due to an influx
of immigrants who are unfamiliar with local slaughter
laws. Many immigrants are reportedly Muslims who slaughter
the animals themselves rather than purchasing meat
from a legal Halal butcher. The slaughter and handling
of the animals seem devoid of any approved or humane
method of stunning, but state officials seem most
interested in the lack of refrigeration and sanitation
as a public health concern. Agriculture department
officials also say that their own investigations and
comments by legal butchers suggest they are "seeing
only a small part of the problem." Some farmers have
been fined up to $15,000 for illegally slaughtering
animals, and some have been criminally charged with
misdemeanors or felonies.
"Illegal Meat Slaughter on Rise," News Observer, 12/13/04
http://newsobserver.com/news/story/1926626p-8277001c.html
(Free registration required)
5.
Whole Foods Market and Bob Barker Give to Farmed Animal Efforts
US-based Whole Foods Market, the self-described "world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket," has established the Animal Compassion Foundation to promote animal welfare among farmers and meat producers. Whole Foods will donate 5% of its chain-wide sales on January 25, 2005 as seed money for the foundation; the amount is anticipated to exceed $500,000. According to John Mackey, Whole Foods' CEO, "By creating the Foundation, Whole Foods Market is pioneering an entirely new way for people to relate to farm animals -- with the animals' welfare becoming the most important goal." The foundation has the objectives of identifying and networking farmers who have achieved higher welfare standards, and compiling a library of information on more compassionate husbandry methods. The foundation will also provide research grants to explore new methods to address welfare challenges currently faced by producers. In other news, game show host and TV personality Bob Barker has donated $1 million to Duke University as an endowment to establish an animal law program. The endowment is said to be "one in a series of gifts" Barker is making to highly regarded law programs in the US.
"Whole Foods Market Establishes Foundation to Help Achieve More Compassionate Treatment of Farm Animals," Whole Foods Market, 12/14/04
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/pr_12-14-04.html
"Bob Barker's $1M Gift to Boost Study of Animal Rights Law at Duke," The Herald Sun, 12/6/04
http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-552293.html
6.
Other Items of Interest
A recent "Pig International" journal article
says that salmonella is found in 30% of Europe's farmed
pigs. The article provides an overview of recent European
efforts to reduce salmonella infection among pigs
through various means, including improved hygiene
and feed controls. Results suggest that salmonella
can best be contained through changes to the food
provided to pigs.
"Salmonella Control - Via the Stomach," Pig International, Dec-2004
http://www.octagon-services.co.uk/articles/salmonella.htm
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has found traces of perchlorate, a rocket fuel component,
in consumer supplies of milk, lettuce and bottled
water. According to the FDA, various types of milk
studied had perchlorate levels of between 3.2 parts
per billion for conventional whole milk up to 11.3
parts per billion for organic milk. The samples were
obtained from farms in different states throughout
the US.
"Rocket Fuel in Food Reflects Environmental Ills," Natural Foods Merchandiser, 12/7/2004
http://www.naturalfoodsmerchandiser.com/asp/articleDisplay.asp?strArticleId=1263
Meat industry commentator Dan Murphy opines
about the current review by the US Supreme Court of
the compulsory Beef Checkoff program that requires
producers to fund national beef advertising and research.
The issue has been framed as one of free speech, in
which some producers are compelled by law to pay for
advertising with which they do not agree.
OPINION: "Beef: It's What's for Dissenters," Meatingplace.com, 12/10/04
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/init.asp?iID=13533
Videogame maker Veggie Games has released
"Steer Madness," in which players control a "mad cow"
to complete various tasks such as liberating animals
from labs, hijacking chicken transport trucks, and
promoting vegetarianism. The game's description says
that it is "based on direct action activism, (but)
completely non-violent and suitable for all ages."
"Mad Cow Strikes Back in Video Game," GamesIndustry.biz, 12/1/04
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/press_release.php?aid=5930
Three leading meat industry groups, including
the leading chicken and turkey producer groups, have
joined forces to publish a new website with nutrition
information for consumers. The site, which includes
a library of referenced materials related to meat
nutrition and a list of experts willing to give interviews,
is also targeted at the media.
"Industry Organizations Launch Meat and Poultry Nutrition Web Site," Meatingplace.com, 12/14/04
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/init.asp?iID=13545
Two new techniques are under development to
treat cows for a variety of illnesses. The first is
a less invasive way of testing cows for altitude sickness,
which currently involves piercing the jugular vein
to determine blood pressure. The second technique
involves shooting cows with an air rifle from up to
50 feet to administer antibiotics and other medications.
"Treating Ailing Cattle, Noble Foundation, 12/15/04
http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_17431.shtml
"Researchers Study Cattle Altitude Sickness," Yahoo News, 12/6/04
http://tinyurl.com/48va9 (Yahoo News website)
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