Farmed Animal Watch: Objective Information for the Thinking Advocate
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March 26 , 2007 -- Number 10, Volume 7

1. WOLFGANG PUCK ANNOUNCES REFORMS

"I want to be a leader on the issue of how we treat the animals we eat," declared celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, “If consumers could see how abused these animals can be, they would demand change." Working with The Humane Society of the U.S. and Farm Sanctuary, he has developed a 9-point plan for his $300-million-a-year company. Puck announced that he has stopped serving foie gras and, by the end of 2007, will eliminate animal products obtained through the use of gestation or veal crates or battery cages. Additionally, he will contact suppliers of chicken and turkey meat to express his interest in slaughter by Controlled Atmosphere Killing (see: http://tinyurl.com/2qq5lk & http://tinyurl.com/3d4yrk ), and “will only serve chicken and turkey meat from farms that are third-party-audited for compliance with progressive animal welfare standards.” While the lobsters Puck uses are to avoid spending time crowded in holding tanks, his chefs will continue cutting the live animals in half. [Vegan] and organic selections are also to be featured.

Puck dismissed Farm Sanctuary’s efforts toward him over the last 5 years (see, for example: http://tinyurl.com/ysaybh & http://tinyurl.com/2f6z4n ) as having influenced his decision, acknowledging instead that he wanted to draw attention to the 25th anniversary of his flagship restaurant by opposing intensive confinement. “Generally, this is for better-quality ingredients,” he said of his quest for products from non-caged animals. Menu prices are anticipated to rise $1 to $2, a negligible amount considering his current steep prices.

Noting “the horror of factory farming,” a New York Times editorial states: “Mr. Puck’s new standard will help correct a misimpression. Many diners assume that most of the cruelty in factory farming lies in producing foie gras and veal. But Americans consume vastly more chicken, turkey, pork and beef than foie gras and veal, and most of the creatures those meats come from are raised in ways that are ethically and environmentally unsound.”


PUCK SAYS IT'S TIME TO HOLD THE FOIE GRAS
The Los Angeles Times, Corie Brown, March 22, 2007
http://tinyurl.com/25qaxp

ANIMAL WELFARE HAS A PLACE AT WOLFGANG PUCK’S TABLE
The Humane Society of the United States, March 22, 2007
http://tinyurl.com/384rwq

CELEBRITY CHEF ANNOUNCES STRICT ANIMAL-WELFARE POLICY
The New York Times, Kim Severson, March 22, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/22/dining/22puck.html

MR. PUCK'S GOOD IDEA
The New York Times, Editorial, March 26, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/26/opinion/26mon4.html

 

2. AQUACULTURE; DEEP-SEA TRAWLING; CATFISH FARMING

In a bid for a share of the $70 billion aquaculture industry, the Bush administration has sent legislation to Congress seeking to initiate ocean farming for shellfish, salmon and saltwater species in federal waters. More than 200 fish farms already operate on inland and coastal waters up to 3 miles into the ocean, which fall under state jurisdiction. (Just 3 years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency began regulating them for wastewater poured directly into U.S. waterways.) The proposed plan would let companies operate fish farms 3-200 miles offshore without some of the commercial fishing rules intended to restrict size, season and harvest methods. The bill, similar to one that Congress didn’t pass in 2005, also calls for increased research into all forms of aquaculture. The U.S. has an $8 billion annual seafood trade deficit with more than 80% of the seafood consumed here being imported, of which at least 40% percent is farmed. The proposal would help the $1 billion U.S. aquaculture industry roughly double over the next few decades. Critics say fish farming exacerbates overfishing due to the use of fish as fish food. They also point to pollution from the farms and genetic problems they can cause wild fish.

With fish populations in shallow areas declining, fishing fleets are increasingly dredging deep waters. As a result, long-living species that reproduce infrequently are being killed, and ancient, slow-growing sponge beds and coral are being destroyed. A recent report shows that much of this fishing is only profitable due to fuel subsidies the ships receive. Biologists, ecologists and economists at the American Association for the Advancement of Science have called for an end to the subsidies. In December the United Nations general assembly reached an agreement to regulate trawl fishing in international waters.

Catfish are the most farmed fish species in the U.S. The $480 million industry loses up to 30% of its total annual production to infectious diseases. In an attempt to counter them, “excessive” amounts of antibiotics are used, annually amounting to $42.5 million worth, resulting in bacterial resistance. Researchers are attempting to develop ways to boost the fishs’ immune systems.


ADMINISTRATION SENDS AQUACULTURE LEGISLATION TO CONGRESS
Ellsworth American, Stephen Rappaport, March 15, 2007
http://tinyurl.com/yqe5zo

U.S. SEEKS TO ALLOW FISH FARMS IN DEEP OCEAN WATERS
Associated Press, John Heilprin, March 12, 2007
http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/03-07/03-12-07/03state-region.htm

SCIENTISTS CALL FOR FUEL SUBSIDIES BAN TO PROTECT FISH
Telegraph, Nic Fleming, Feb. 21, 2007
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/02/19/wfishing119.xml

PREVENTING THE CATFISH BLUES
TechJournal South, Allan Maurer, March 15, 2007
http://www.techjournalsouth.com/news/article.html?item_id=2767

 

3. SURPLUS HORSE CLAIM DISPUTED

Kentucky “is being overrun with thousands of horses no one wants,” including lame and blind horses turned loose in rural areas and others left chained for days without food or water, according to an Associated Press report. The surplus is attributed to growing opposition to horse slaughter and the closure of horse slaughterplants (see: http://tinyurl.com/yuavm6 ). It can cost up to $150 to have a veterinarian euthanize a horse, plus disposal costs. The Humane Society of the U.S. disputes the claims as being unfounded, calling them a desperate fear-mongering campaign by the foreign-owned slaughter industry. A recent survey of the Kentucky Animal Care and Control Association’s membership found no increase in abandoned horse reports or sightings. The claim that horses are now being shipped instead to Mexico for slaughter is countered by the point that the single horse slaughterplant still operating in the U.S. (in Illinois) is importing horses from Canada to slaughter, indicating the absence of any surplus.

After California banned horse slaughter in 1989, there was no significant change in the number of abused or neglected horses reported, and horse theft dropped 34%. Similar bans are under consideration elsewhere, including Kentucky, Maryland, New York and Illinois. Connecticut has made it illegal to sell horsemeat in public places, and many states have tightened up the labeling and transportation requirements governing horses bound for slaughter. “Any horse owner who does not choose to receive a value for (unwanted) horses don’t have to,” said industry lobbyist Charles Stenholm, “But it’s a property rights issue similar to water rights.” He cautioned that anyone who considers their horse(s) to be companion animals stands to forfeit the tax deductions they could receive for having farmed animals.


KENTUCKY OVERRUN WITH UNWANTED HORSES
The Houston Chronicle/The Associated Press, Jeffrey McMurray, March 14, 2007
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4632414.html

HSUS RESPONDS TO RUMOR OF HORSE ABANDONMENT IN KY.
The Humane Society of the United States, March 17, 2007
http://www.pr-inside.com/the-humane-society-of-the-united-r68370.htm

HORSE PROCESSING IS HIGHLY EMOTIONAL PROPERTY ISSUE
Farm Press, Ron Smith, March 19, 2007
http://southwestfarmpress.com/news/031907-horse-processing/

 

4. EUROPEAN CONSUMERS INTERESTED IN FARMED ANIMAL WELFARE

The first European Union (EU) survey on animal welfare to cover all 27 Member States plus Turkey and Croatia, found the issue ranks high, receiving an 8 out of 10 in terms of importance. While a majority of consumers believe conditions for farmed animals have improved over the last ten years, concern remains particularly for poultry and pigs. Consumers expressed a willing to pay more for products produced in adherence with animal welfare standards, with some 70% supporting financial rewards for producers applying high standards. Of the 10,500 consumers polled by the European Commission (EC), 62% of the respondents said they would change their shopping habits in order to obtain more animal-welfare friendly products. However, many felt they lack the necessary information to compare products on animal-welfare grounds.

A large majority of respondents support labeling to indicate welfare standards. The Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010 foresees standardized welfare indicators being established. An “EU animal welfare label” is part of a 5-year EU plan. (A conference on labeling is being held March 28th.) The Eurobarometer also showed 89% support requiring that imports meet the welfare conditions in the EU. Over half of the respondents believe that food produced with high welfare standards is more healthful, while 48% consider it to be of better quality. The Eurobarometer can be accessed at: http://tinyurl.com/253bc3.

Earlier this year, new EU animal welfare rules came into effect, including stricter requirements for dealing with animals in transport and higher standards for vehicles and equipment. Newborn animals and those within a week of giving birth may not be transported. Better enforcement of EU rules are also part of the new regulation, including requiring that transporters use satellite navigation systems to help regulators track animals in transit. The regulation is part of a series of measures by the EC to improve animal welfare.

ANIMAL WELFARE CONCERNS HIGHLIGHTED BY SURVEY
Food Production Daily, Ahmed ElAmin, March 23, 2007
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=75223&m=1FPD323&c=nclrxgigqalxdms

CONSUMER' CONCERNS ABOUT ANIMAL WELFARE WHEN SHOPPING VARY WIDELY BETWEEN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Welfare Quality project press release, March 20, 2007
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=193445

EU CONSUMERS WILLING TO PAY FOR BETTER ANIMAL WELFARE
Europa press release, March 22, 2007
http://tinyurl.com/2bp3yq

 

5. GREECE CHARGED WITH ANIMAL WELFARE FAILURES

In the Eurobarometer (see item #4 above), Greeks (96%) Cypriots (91%) and Portuguese (90%) rated the highest in wanting more attention to be given to the well-being of animals in their country. The European Commission (EC) has referred the country of Greece to the European Court of Justice for failure to properly implement and enforce European Union (EU) legislation on animal welfare transport and at slaughter. Greek authorities had been warned of legal action in 1998, and again in 2006 following a series of inspections between 2003 and 2006. Inspectors found that Greece failed to identify and control vehicles which transport animals as required by EU law, it did not provide adequate facilities for animals at ferry ports, and that controls were insufficient to ensure adequate stunning of animals at slaughter. Despite Greece’s presentation of an animal welfare plan in 2005, the EC reported little or no improvement in Greek animal welfare. More details at: http://tinyurl.com/32wdms

GREECE GOES TO COURT FOR ANIMAL WELFARE NON-COMPLIANCE
World Poultry, March 23, 2007
http://tinyurl.com/33wx5p

 

6. VEGETARIAN ADVOCACY REPORT

The Humane Research Council (HRC) has produced a report that examines “the current state of meat consumption in the U.S. and describes the motivations and barriers that [vegetarian] advocates need to understand” in order to employ effective strategies. Among its findings is that most adults in the U.S. are three times more likely to have reduced rather than increased how much meat they eat. It also found that dietary choices are influenced primarily by taste preferences and personal health concerns rather than by ethical or environmental concerns. While taste preferences presented the greatest barrier to meat reduction, health concerns registered as the greatest impetus for meat reduction. Women and older consumers were found to be the most likely to be “semi-vegetarian.” They were also the most likely to intend to reduce their meat consumption in the future. The HRC report discusses “incrementalism, which suggests that pursuing a meat reduction strategy may lower demand for meat AND generate more vegetarians than advocating vegetarianism directly.” Two forms of the study are available for purchase, the full 52-page report (with appendices) or a 13-page base report with an appendix. The tables of contents can be viewed at: http://tinyurl.com/2nx7y3

ADVOCATING MEAT REDUCTION AND VEGETARIANISM TO ADULTS IN THE U.S.
Humane Research Council, March 2007
http://www.humaneresearch.org/2007vegreport_details.shtml






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Compiled and edited by Cat Carroll and Mary Finelli, 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.