Farmed
Animal Watch
A Project of Animal Place
February 11, 2002
(To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #53
CONTENTS
1. Major Farmed Animal Welfare Initiative
Announced
2. Deadly Avian Influenza Strikes Again
3. Trade War Food Fights
4. HSUS Calls for Ban on Use of Diseased/Dying Animals in Food Supply
5. Slaughterplant Animal Handling Overseers in Place
6. Bill Requires Henhouse Inspection
7. Dairy Inspection Guidance
8. Bush Addresses Cattle Industry Convention
9. Sierra Club Suing Tyson Over Air Pollution
1. MAJOR FARMED ANIMAL WELFARE INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED
The Irish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development has announced
plans for a major initiative to advance farmed animal welfare. This entails
the formation of a Farm Welfare Advisory Council, a Scientific Committee on
Animal Health and Welfare, and a program to raise farmed animal transport
and handling standards. The Advisory Council will consist of veterinarians,
animal welfare advocates, farm and transport groups, and government
representatives. Compassion in World Farming, which has been invited to
serve on the Council, expressed interest pending details of the structure
and operation. The Council will serve in an advisory capacity to the
Minster, initially functioning on a non-statutory basis. Animal handling and
transport guidelines are to be circulated to industry, and an inspection
system is to be implemented to ensure standards are complied with.
Government funding of animal welfare groups is also being increased.
"Animal welfare initiative set up," The Irish Times, Sean MacConnell,
February 2, 2002.
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2002/0202/3033889299HM2CARE.html
"Tentative backing for animal welfare committee," The Irish Examiner,
February 7, 2002. http://www.online.ie/news/viewer.adp?article=1656443
2. DEADLY AVIAN INFLUENZA STRIKES AGAIN
For the second time within a year, an epidemic of avian influenza has hit
Hong Kong (AI). Last May, more than 2 million birds, including chickens,
pigeons, quail, ducks and geese were killed there to stop an outbreak. In
1997, an AI outbreak resulted in the mutation of the virus to one capable of
infecting humans. Six of 18 infected people died. It is unknown whether the
current virus can infect humans. It is from the same family (H5N1) and is
quickly mutating. Some 30,000 birds died from it at the originating
location. As of Feb. 6th, nearly 170,000 birds had been killed to try to
prevent the virus from spreading and 24 operations were quarantined.
Government workers gassed birds wearing protective overalls. Health
officials will be increasing market inspections, and the government has
ordered markets closed an additional day (2/month) for cleaning. Critics,
however, blame the repeat outbreaks on overcrowding, poor hygiene and poor
ventilation at poultry operations. The Secretary for the Environment and
Food declared there will be more and increasingly frequent attacks of AI if
demand for live chickens continues at the same rate. The current epidemic is
costing the government an estimated $5 million in compensation.
"Hong Kong H5N1 Flu Outbreak in Chickens," South China Morning Post,
February 5, 2002.
"Bird Flu Virus Identified as H5N1," South China Morning Post,
February 6,
2002.
http://www.scmp.com
"Taste for live chickens `means more bird flu,'" South China Morning
Post,
Mary Ann Benitez and Klaudia Lee, February 9, 2002.
http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZZB7R3GXC.html
"Hong Kong Culls Another 60,000 Chickens as Bird Flu Spreads,"
Reuters,
Peter Lim, 2/5/2002.
http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/safefood/archives/animalnet/2002/2-2002/animaln
et_february_5.htm
"Hong Kong Seals Off Chicken Farms," BBC News, February 6, 2002.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_1802000/1802115.s
tm
"HK's Bird Flu Virus Mutating Fast, Scientist Says," Reuters, February
5,
2002.
http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/safefood/archives/animalnet/2002/2-2002/animaln
et_february_6.htm
3. TRADE WAR FOOD FIGHTS
The current avian influenza epidemic (see above item) exemplifies the
difficulty facing Asia as many of its nations emerge as fish and meat
exporters. Three years ago, a viral disease wiped out Malaysia's pig
industry. Recently, some 12,000 pigs died from a suspected foot-and-mouth
outbreak in Hong Kong. The outbreak is reportedly typical of previous years.
Scattered operations across remote areas of Asia make regulations difficult
and expensive to carry out. The European Union has imposed a ban on all
animal products from China, citing a lack of control on the use of
veterinary drugs and other products that could cause residues and
contaminants. No advisory, however, has been issued against the consumption
of animal products which have already been imported from China
Meanwhile, the USDA has asked China, Japan, and the Phillippines to lift a
ban on U.S. poultry imposed due to an outbreak of avian influenza (AI) in
Pennsylvania. China previously banned poultry products from Connecticut due
to an AI outbreak in that state. The USDA claims the ban is unjustified,
noting that, based on international standards, the low-pathogenic strain of
the virus is not a reportable disease. Though contagious, is not fatal to
other birds or transmissible to humans. Last year U.S. exports to China and
Hong Kong were valued at $357 million. China has also destroyed allegedly
contaminated meat from Brazil, Argentina, Israel and Spain, including some
3.8 tons of goose wings from Israel. The tissue was reportedly destroyed due
to contamination by foot-and-mouth disease, Newcastle disease and swine
fever. China also suspended the import of pig offal from several countries
including the U.S., Canada, France and Belgium, after reportedly finding pig
offal contaminated with Listeria and Salmonella. The country is thought to
be stepping up quarantine efforts following its recent entry into the World
Trade Organization (WTO). Some fear food safety issues will be used as a
pretext to bar imports as tariffs fall under the terms of its WTO
membership.
"HK Bird Flu Highlights Asian Food Safety Shortfall," Reuters, Nao
Nakanishi, February 7 2002
http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/safefood/archives/animalnet/2002/2-2002/animaln
et_february_7.htm
"Foot-And-Mouth Disease Hits Hong Kong Pig Farms," Agence France
Presse,
February 8, 2002
http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/safefood/archives/animalnet/2002/2-2002/animaln
et_february_8.htm
"EU Suspends Import of Animal Products from China," Food Standards
Agency
News, January 31, 2002.
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/chinaban
"China Bans Pennsylvania Poultry Due to Bird Flu," Reuters, February
7,
2002.
http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/safefood/archives/animalnet/2002/2-2002/animaln
et_february_7.htm
"U.S. Urges Japan, Phillippines to Lift Poultry Ban," Reuters, Dolly
Aglay,
February 6, 2002.
http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/safefood/archives/animalnet/2002/2-2002/animaln
et_february_6.htm
4. HSUS CALLS FOR BAN ON USE OF DISEASED/DYING ANIMALS IN FOOD SUPPLY
Prompted by heightened bioterrorism security measures recently recommended
by the FDA, The Humane Society of the United States has renewed its call to
the government for a ban on the use of diseased and dying animals in the
human food supply. The organization points out that the USDA only inspects
animals for a few of the possible conditions that could affect human
consumers. Dr. Frank Garry, a veterinarian at Colorado State University,
supplied the organization with a list of potential poisons that could be
ingested by cattle but go undetected by USDA inspectors. Farm Sanctuary has
petitioned the FDA on this matter and recently sued the USDA over the
practice. The USDA estimates that 130,000 nonambulatory animals are
processed in the U.S. annually. On a related note, bills criminalizing the
intentional infection of an animal with disease unanimously passed the
Wisconsin Assembly and await approval by the Governor. Penalties include
jail time and a fine of up to $10,000.
"Group Calls on FDA, USDA, Congress to Halt Slaughter of Diseased
Livestock," Daily News, The Meating Place, February 5, 2002.
http://www.mtgplace.com/meatingplace/DailyNews/News.asp?ID=8762
"Keep Downers Out of the Grocery Store," The Humane Society of the
United
States.
http://www.hsus.org/whatnew/downerban012501.html
"Human Health Risks," Farm Sanctuary.
http://www.nodowners.org/index_health.htm
"Assembly passes bans on infecting animals," Associated Press,
February 6,
2002.
http://www.gazetteextra.com/lxrinfectanimals020602.html
5. SLAUGHTERPLANT ANIMAL HANDLING OVERSEERS IN PLACE
The 17 District Veterinary Medical Specialists hired by the USDA to oversee
animal handling and slaughter are now in place. They are to ensure that all
slaughterplants comply with handling and slaughter mandates, in part by
conducting on-site verification of handling activities and preparing summary
reports.
"New FSIS Veterinary Positions to Oversee Humane Slaughter and Handling
Issues," Food Safety and Inspection Service News Release, February 1, 2002.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/news/2002/districtvet.htm
6. BILL REQUIRES HENHOUSE INSPECTION
Photographs of dead chickens were exhibited to Washington state legislators
during a hearing on a bill requiring the inspection of henhouses. House bill
2619 was introduced in response to a second incident of mass starvation at
an egg operation where over 1,000 chickens died. Under the proposed law, the
state Dept. of Agriculture would establish a program for conducting
inspections of facilities with 100 or more laying hens. Animal advocates and
food safety proponents testified in favor of the bill. Hens exposed to dead
chickens, manure or contaminated feed could transfer pathogens to eggs. A
poultry industry representative and the state veterinarian opposed the bill
based on inspection costs. The industry representative also expressed
concern that operators not be charged with cruelty if chickens die from
power failures, storms or disease. If it passes the Rules Committee, the
bill will be sent to the House for a vote.
"Henhouse-inspection bill ruffles feathers," The Seattle Times, Autumn
Koepp, February 7, 2002
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/134401090_eggs07m.html
"Laying Hen Bill is Out of Committee and Onto the Next Round,"
Legislative
Update, Pasado's Safe Haven, February 8, 2002.
http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/Legislative_Update.htm
7. DAIRY INSPECTION GUIDANCE
The FDA has issued guidance clarifying what areas of dairy facilities
constitute inspection areas regarding drug compliance. These include the
milk house; milking barn, stable or parlor; adjacent storage areas; cow yard
and cattle housing areas; surroundings; waste disposal areas; and the water
supply. These areas may include the dairy maternity sites, animal treatment
or hospital barns, and replacement heifer areas.
"Dairy farm inspectional area clarified," The Journal of the American
Medical Association, February 15, 2002.
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/feb02/s021502l.asp
8. BUSH ADDRESSES CATTLE INDUSTRY CONVENTION
Speaking as both President and as a Texas cattle rancher, George Bush
addressed the Cattle Industry Annual Convention in Denver. His entourage
included Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, House Agriculture Committee
Chairman Larry Combest, who will chair the House-Senate Conference Committee
when it resolves policy differences in the Farm Bill, and a number of
high-profile Senators. Bush stated, "I realize there's nobody more central
to the American experience than the cowboy....Thank goodness we don't have
to rely on somebody else's meat to make sure our people are healthy and well
fed." He discussed his aspirations for the Farm Bill, stating that it must
support trade and provide a safety net for farmers without encouraging
overproduction. He also said a good bill will offer incentives for
conservation practices, and spoke in favor of expanding the EQIP program, a
voluntary conservation program.
"Bush Outlines Farm Policy Wishes for Cattlemen," Daily News, Agweb,
February 8, 2002.
http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?file=AgNewsArticle_200228151
0_1133&articleID=85162&newscat=GN
Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Natural Resources Conservation
Service.
http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/PROGRAMS/COD/cit/eqipsmry.htm
"Fact Sheet on the Dirty Farm Bill," Sierra Club.
http://www.sierraclub.org/cleanwater/waterquality/dirtyfarmbill.asp
9. SIERRA CLUB SUING TYSON OVER AIR POLLUTION
The Sierra Club announced its intention to sue Tyson Foods for failure to
comply with the Superfund law. The organizes charges that Tyson has not
reported hazardous releases of ammonia from 4 animal operations in Kentucky.
Polluters emitting over 100 pounds of the gas daily are required to reported
it. Tyson is the nation's largest meat producer and processor.
"Sierra Club to Sue Tysons Food for Superfund Violations," Press
Release,
Sierra Club, February 5, 2002.
http://lists.sierraclub.org/SCRIPTS/WA.EXE?A2=ind0202&L=ce-scnews-releases&D
=1&T=0&H=1&O=D&F=&S=&P=367
"Sierra Club to sue Tyson Foods," Current News, February 8, 2002.
http://www.meatpoultry.com/feature_stories.asp?ArticleID=50683