Farmed Animal Watch
A Project of Animal Place

January 31, 2002                                                     (To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #52

CONTENTS

1. Industrial Animal Production Contributes to Human Disease
2. Big Changes Recommended for British Farming
3. Animal Welfare Activists Straining United Egg Producers’ Budget
4. International Egg Commission Considers Animal Welfare
5. N.Z. Farmed Animal Welfare Proposals Elicit Huge Response
6. Asia’s Largest Pate Processor Seeks $500 Million Export Market
7. In Favor of Traditional Breeding
8. Farmed Animal Handling Workshops


1. INDUSTRIAL ANIMAL PRODUCTION CONTRIBUTES TO HUMAN DISEASE
Zoonotic pathogens (i.e., those that are transmissible between humans and other animals) may be 3 times more likely to be associated with emerging human diseases than are non-zoonotic pathogens. The industrialization and intensification of animal production, and international trade patterns of animals and animal products, are major contributing factors to the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic disease. These were among the findings of a month-long Internet conference on zoonoses. The conference was sponsored by the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). It primarily focused on nonindustrialized countries and involved some 700 participants. Centralized animal feeding and waste disposal systems were also implicated. The widespread use of drugs in animal agriculture was cited as increasing the risk of harmful residues and antimicrobial pathogens. Large slaughter and processing operations present additional hazards for human consumers. Areas with large populations of immuno-compromised people, such as Africa, are especially susceptible to zoonotic disease. Veterinary curriculums are not preparing graduates for the exotic diseases they may encounter with global trade.

“Zoonoses control: hurdles, headaches, and solutions,” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, February 1, 2002.
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/feb02/s020102c.asp
“Veterinary Public Health and the Control of Zoonoses in Developing Countries,” FAO-OIE-WHO, November 1, 2000.
http://www.fao.org/ag/aga/agah/vpheconf/home.htm
 

2. BIG CHANGES RECOMMENDED FOR BRITISH FARMING
A government-appointed commission has recommended sweeping changes for Britain’s “unsustainable” agriculture. Intensive farming costs the U.K. over $2 billion annually in damage to air, soil and water. The Commission advised redirecting public funds from production to environmental and rural enhancement. Early reform of the much criticized Common Agriculture Policy (see issue #51) is also among the top recommendations. Farming subsidies would continue but no longer be linked to productivity. Quality rather than quantity is to be emphasized, with farmers rewarded for caring for the countryside. Organic and locally-produced foods are to be promoted. The Secretary of State for the Environment blamed society for the current state of farming, explaining that the public has encouraged farmers to produce more food more cheaply. The National Farmers Union is skeptical of the proposals. The Commission was appointed following the foot-and-mouth crisis. A report on the animal welfare issues which arose from the crisis is summarized in “FMD and animal welfare” at: http://www.vetrecord.co.uk.

“Overhaul for ‘unsustainable’ farming,” ITV News, January 29, 2002.
http://www.itv.com/news/Front3779519.html


3. ANIMAL WELFARE ACTIVISTS STRAINING UNITED EGG PRODUCERS’ BUDGET
The increasing efforts of more animal welfare activists are straining the budget of the national egg producers’ organization. At the American Egg Board (AEB)’s annual meeting in November, United Egg Producers (UEP) complained that its budget is being strained as more animal welfare advocates are becoming involved in laying hen issues. This was a major topic at the general board meeting and committee meetings. It was argued that all egg producers should contribute to the funding. The possibility of funding public relations efforts through a private firm was suggested, but it was concluded that the “animal rights project” will remain with UEP. The Food Marketing Institute, representing wholesalers and the supermarket industry, will be developing guidelines on animal rights issues. Egg industry guidelines will be used after they are rewritten to be more easily understood by retailers. Progress is also reportedly being made in molting hens without depriving them of  feed.
 
“American Egg Board Annual Meeting: Report,” Egg Industry, John Todd, December 2001.
http://www.wattnet.com


4. INTERNATIONAL EGG COMMISSION CONSIDERS ANIMAL WELFARE
Cultural changes impacting egg production and trade were discussed at the International Egg Commission’s Annual Meeting last autumn by Dr. Gert van Dijk of Wageningen University in the Netherlands. He believes food safety and animal welfare will be the two leading issues facing the industry, distantly followed by environmental concerns. Intensive animal production costs will largely be based on the ability of the food industry to utilize by-products so as not to incur the expense of disposing of them. His presentation was largely based on the Law of Wageningen: “If you want to produce in agriculture you have to be very close to the maximum, of the physiological capacity of plants and animals.” He professed that if an animal is producing close to its physiological peak, the cost/lb. of output is less; there is less pollution/lb., and the animal will suffer less discomfort/lb. of product. He noted that those who are opposed to this type of production counter the environmental argument by calling for fewer animals to be used and for an end to exports.

Dr. Dijk advises industry to switch from lobbying to a public affairs policy. This would entail engaging the public through the media and feeding information to the right politicians. Finding customers willing to pay a premium for welfare-friendly products is another approach, as is relocating production. He exhibited a map of 144 world cultures, noting that poorer countries have a different sensibility regarding animal welfare. Dr. Dijk concluded by noting that the Law of Wageningen essentially reduces animals to machines, which he personally considers to be ethically wrong.

“IEC Annual Conference Report,” Egg Industry, Terry Evans, November 2001.
http://www.wattnet.com


5. N.Z. FARMED ANIMAL WELFARE PROPOSALS ELICIT HUGE RESPONSE
Animal advocates have flooded the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture with 60,000 responses to its proposal to revise welfare codes for pigs. The outpouring was largely prompted by write-in campaigns by the SPCA and Save Animals from Exploitation (SAFE). Over 1,000 responses were also received in response to code revisions for chickens raised for meat. The submissions will be considered before approval of the final codes, which is expected in the next 2 months. Other animal welfare standards, including battery hen codes, are also under consideration for revision.

“Animal Welfare Proposals Spark Big Response,” NewsRoom, January 29, 2002.
http://www.newsroom.co.nz/story/83135-99999.html
Save Animals from Exploitation
http://www.safe.org.nz
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty, Auckland, New Zealand
http://www.spca.org.nz/home.htm


6. ASIA’S LARGEST PATE PROCESSOR SEEKS $500 MILLION EXPORT MARKET
Asia’s largest goose liver production plant, in southwest China, is seeking to create an export market worth $500 million. The local farming community will supply the plant with 2.5 million geese. The U.S., Canada and Japan are being targeted as the main export markets.

“Goose Liver from China,” Meat News, January 29, 2001.
http://www.meatnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Article&artNum=2556


7. IN FAVOR OF TRADITIONAL BREEDING
Classical selective breeding of farmed animals may be superior to biotechnology-based breeding in that more well-rounded animals result. This is the argument put forth by Jim Wilton, director of the Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock at the University of Guelph. He points out that with the “pinpoint” biotech approach of targeting a single gene, the outcome is unpredictable. Selecting animals, instead, to maximize a particular trait results in greater normalcy with more fully functional animals. This lengthy article details the productivity and efficiency gains in chickens, cattle and pigs over the past decades that have occurred through selective breeding.

“Best in breed,” The Globe and Mail, Stephen Strauss, January 26, 2002.
http://www.globeandmail.com
Letters to The Globe and Mail should be less than 200 words, and must include the name, mailing address and daytime phone number of the writer. The letter must be sent in the main body of the e-mail message as plain ASCII text only. Letters@GlobeAndMail.ca.


8. FARMED ANIMAL HANDLING WORKSHOPS
In an effort to make the countryside safer, workshops on farmed animal handling will be offered throughout Canada. The workshops are designed for people who routinely handle farmed animals. Previously, a course on emergency handling was offered for a couple of years. Topics will include: recognizing distress, illness and injury in animals; safe handling of ill or distressed animals; calming, rescuing and temporarily confining animals; first aid and euthanasia for ill or injured animals; designing safer handling facilities; and legal and ethical issues regarding handling. The Alberta Farm Animal Care Association is offering the workshops which were developed through federal funds. Additional information can be obtained at: reflectedj@aol.com

“Livestock handling course hits the road,” Western Producer, Adrian Ewins, January 24, 2002.
http://www.producer.com/articles/20020124/news/20020124news23.html