Farmed Animal Watch
May 23, 2001                                               (To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #8

CONTENTS

1.    Web Site Discloses Scientists’ Links to Industry
2.    Genetically Modified Animals: British Scientists say Risk It
3.    Food Safety Problems Traced  to Production and Transport
4.    Widespread Pig Disease Induced by Stress
5.    Proposed Improvements for European Pigs
6.    EU Commission Goes After Animal Transport Rules
7.    Hong Kong Killing Continues
8.    Scale of Slaughter Concealed by Stealth
9.    Human Mad Cow Disease Victims: First Wave?
10.  McDonald’s Tries to Reassure Stockholders
11.  Pig Industry Attempts to Head Off PETA
12.  Pig Industry Facing Lawsuits
13.  New Zealand Proposes Flatulence Tax
14.  Web Site Review: GRACE
15.  Drug Study Article Correction


1.  WEB SITE DISCLOSES SCIENTISTS’ LINKS TO INDUSTRY
The Center for Science in the Public Interest’S (CSPI) new web site provides information about the links between more than 1100 scientists and corporations. The site also supplies information about the corporate support received by health, professional and nonprofit organizations. No laws make public the financial conflicts of interest that exist among academic scientists. Important policies can be impaired by scientists who claim to be objective but receive funding from affected industries. (CSPI does not accept industry or government funding.)

“New Web Site Discloses Scientists’ Links to Industry,” U.S. Newswire, May 16, 2001.
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/0516-123.html


2.  GENETICALLY MODIFIED ANIMALS: BRITAIN SCIENTISTS SAY RISK IT
The Royal Society, Britain’s most prestigious scientific body, contends that the potential benefits of genetically modified animals are worth the risks. Its recently released report, “The Use of Genetically Modified Animals,” acknowledges “....serious concerns remain about welfare and health and safety issues that need to be addressed if these benefits are to be realised.” Pigs, sheep, goats and chickens are among the species that have had genetic material rearranged, deleted or inserted, often from another species, to cause a new physical or chemical trait. The chairman of the society’s working group which produced the report stated, “There is nothing especially strange or horrible about GM animals....There are some people who say we’re playing God. Our response is that we’ve been playing God for a very long time.” The scientists assert that GM animals could improve animal welfare by reducing disease. A Compassion in World Farming spokeswoman counters that farm conditions and practices, rather than animals, should be modified, and that creating disease-resistant animals could be used as an excuse for unsanitary farm conditions. The scientists predict genetically modified meat may be available within 10-15 years.      

“Future Farm: Gene altered farm animals are on their way, but will animal welfare or food safety be boosted or suffer?” New Scientist, May 21, 2001.
http://www.newscientist.com/dailynews/news.jsp?id=ns9999764
“Risk of GM animals is worth it, says scientists,” Independent Digital, May 21, 2001.
http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?dir=1&story=73646&host=1&printable=1
“GM Meat on Sale in 10 to 15 Years, Scientists Say,” Reuters Limited, May 21, 2001.
http://www.agriculture.com/worldwide/AgricultureFarming/05_21_2001.romta0827-story-bcsciencesciencegmdc.html


3.  FOOD SAFETY PROBLEMS TRACED TO PRODUCTION AND TRANSPORT
The need to extend a food safety control program throughout the food production system, including the live animal stage, is being recognized and is being favored by regulatory agencies. Poultry processors who have already instituted traceback programs have found that most food safety hazards result from poor animal production and transport practices. 

“Food safety incidents have some looking to extend HACCP throughout production chain,” Feedstuffs, Sarah Muirhead, May 7, 2001.
http://www.feedstuffs.com


4.  WIDESPREAD PIG DISEASE INDUCED BY STRESS
The causative agent of ileitis, a disease which can cause sudden death in pigs, has been found in 96% of tested U.S. herds. Stress is identified as contributing to outbreaks of the disease, particularly in situations where large numbers of pigs are kept together in pens. As a preventive measure, veterinarians often recommend subtherapeutic use of the drug, Tylan.

“Veterinarians speak out on ileitis,” National Hog Farmer, May 15, 2001.
http://industryclick.com//magazinearticle.asp?magazinearticleid=102688&mode=print


5.  PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS FOR EUROPEAN PIGS
The European Commission is proposing an amendment to EU legislation to improve welfare conditions for pigs. The proposal prohibits the confinement of pregnant pigs to individual, restrictive stalls and seeks improved living conditions for pigs overall through spacing, flooring and feeding systems requirements. The proposal also includes new requirements for training pig handlers, weaning piglets, and providing food and rooting materials. Tougher regulations on noise and light levels, and the prohibition of some of the most egregious types of surgical procedures are also included. The proposal will go to the Council of Minsters for adoption.

“EU proposes welfare improvements for pigs,” Featured Article, the Pig Site.
http://www.thepigsite.com/FeaturedArticle/default.asp


6.  EU COMMISSION GOES AFTER ANIMAL TRANSPORT RULES
Acting on complaints that legislation protecting animals in transit is not being enforced, the European Union Commission is calling for improved legislation and enforcement. Member States, veterinary inspection reports and non governmental organizations have reported that animals, often unfit for travel, are being brutalized during cross-border, long-distant transport, and remedial action is rare.  Recommended improvements will require temperature monitoring and ventilation for trucks used for long distance animal transport. Scientific advice on loading densities and travel time is being sought. The Commission will submit a report to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

“EU Commission steps up fight on Animal Transport Rules,” Featured Article, The Pig Site.
http://www.thepigsite.com/FeaturedArticle/default.asp


7.  HONG KONG KILLING CONTINUES
Live chickens, quail and pigeons were packed into garbage cans and gassed in an attempt to end the recent outbreak of avian influenza in Hong Kong. Having slaughtered all birds in the markets, health officials have moved on to farms where more than a million birds are to be killed, including 850,000 chickens, 140,000 pigeons and 70,000 quail. Birds younger than 75 days of age are to be spared since they will not be available to sell until the markets open again next month. The historic practice of killing live birds in local markets -often in unsanitary conditions- is being questioned.

“Hong Kong Poultry Slaughter Expands,” Associated Press, Verna Yu, May 21, 2001.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/ap/20010521/wl/hong_kong_bird_flu_8.html
“HK culls birds in farms, virus source a mystery,” Reuters, May 21, 2001.   
http://www.agriculture.com/worldwide/AgricultureFarming/05_21_2001.reulb-story-bchealthhongkong.html


8.  SCALE OF SLAUGHTER CONCEALED BY STEALTH
Though the U.K. government announced on May 17^th that the confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease had dropped to zero, more animals are being killed than at the epidemic’s height 2 months ago. The total number of animals killed may top 6 million, or almost a tenth of Britain’s farmed animals. The method the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food uses to categorize animals enables it to conceal the scale of killing from the public, and a new edict is forcing waste management companies to bury vast quantities of dead animals in landfills, largely under cover of night. Special “task forces” of vets and soldiers are conducting the slaughter. The article contains a letter said to be written by a soldier which details how he and his mates were ordered to kill lambs by bludgeoning or drowning them, smash newborn piglets with a shovel, and finish off cows who had been shot by slaughtermen, some of whom were “still crawling around, others clearly still alive but unable to move.”

“‘Killing by stealth’ hides true scale of slaughter,” The Electronic Telegraph, Christopher Booker, May 20, 2001.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=005070602406410&rtmo=axHx2p8L&atmo=rrrrrrrq&pg=/et/01/5/20/nbook20.html


9.  HUMAN MAD COW DISEASE VICTIMS: FIRST WAVE?
U.K. researcher John Collinge reports that the 99 people who have succumbed to the human version of mad cow disease may only be the first wave of victims. Tests on mice indicate individuals may have differing incubation times for the disease depending on their genetic makeup. If the test results convey to the human situation, the theoretical upper limit of maximum cases, now at 130,000, may  hugely increase.  

“Scientists warn vCJD epidemic not over,” CBC News, May 15, 2001.
http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/2001/05/15/vcjd_af_010515

“Waves of human mad cow cases possible-research,” Reuters, May 15, 2001.
http://www.agriculture.com/worldwide/AgricultureFarming/05_15_2001.reulb-story-bchealthbritaincreutzfeldt.html

http://www.meatingplace.com
        
10.  MCDONALD’S TRIES TO REASSURE STOCKHOLDERS
McDonald’s, experiencing sagging stock, declining earnings and foreign business troubles, tried to reassure stockholders at its May 17^th meeting. Investors were told that to allay European meat fears, for example, customers in France are permitted to tour a packing plant to see how meat is butchered. A stockholder proposal asking the corporation to comply with principles to assure worker rights in China was voted down as was one which sought the institution of a policy linking compensation to corporate social performance. A PETA representative praised McDonald’s for its animal welfare improvements and asked for additional improvements, such as using a gas when killing chickens.

“McDonald’s seeks to reassure holders on strategy,” Reuters Limited, May 17, 2001.
http://www.agriclick.com/news/story/0,1411,99825,00.html


11.  PIG INDUSTRY ATTEMPTS TO HEAD OFF PETA
Explaining that PETA has learned from animal welfare changes in Europe, a spokesperson for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) warns that the animal advocacy organization’s new approach is a “serious matter” which “has potential to affect the way producers do business on the farm.” NPPC hopes consumers and retailers will turn to them when approached by PETA, and it is trying to inform major retailers and restaurants about pig industry handling and housing guidelines. The industry group’s animal welfare committee is working on a monitoring system which will allow producers to objectively assess how their facilities and handling affect pig welfare.

“Welfare Activists Turn Up Pressure on Restaurants,” National Hog Farmer, Gretchen Vander Wal, May 15, 2001.
http://industryclick.com//magazinearticle.asp?magazinearticleid=102685&mode=print

http://www.npc.org/PROD/swinecarehandbook.html


12.  PIG INDUSTRY FACING LAWSUITS
The Waterkeeper Alliance, an umbrella organization of 63 environmental river “keeper” programs across the U.S., has been joined by others including animal protection organizations and the National Farmers Union in targeting large pig production operations for the water pollution they cause. Alliance President Robert F. Kennedy Jr. blames the industrialization of the pork industry for turning it into a rogue industry led by criminals. The Alliance is filing state and federal lawsuits against leading companies contending that political influence has allowed the operations to be classified as farms instead of factories, which in turn has duped regulators into not enforcing environmental laws against them. Kennedy claims the federal EPA says it doesn’t have the funds or personnel to enforce the laws in regard to the industry. Industry claims the legal assault is an attack on American agriculture and an abuse of the judicial system, and that producers operate under strict laws and work to ensure that pigs are raised in an environmentally sustainable manner.

“Waterkeeper Lawsuits Target Pork Industry,” National Hog Farmer, Gretchen Vander Wal, May 15, 2001.
http://industryclick.com//magazinearticle.asp?magazinearticleid=102680&mode=print


13.  NEW ZEALAND PROPOSES FLATULENCE TAX
To offset atmospheric damage said to be caused by gases produced by sheep and cattle, the New Zealand government has proposed a tax on farmers. Methane from flatulence and nitrous oxide from manure and urine are blamed for ozone damage and global warming. The proposal is included in the government’s policy on climate change aimed at meeting international guidelines to reduce greenhouse gas. The tax, assessed on a per animal basis, could end up costing farmers more than $2 billion.

“Poop tax suggested for NZ stock farmers,” Dispatch Online, May 21, 2001.
http://www.dispatch.co.za/2001/05/21/foreign/AFARMERS.HTM


14. WEB SITE REVIEW: GRACE
The Global Resource Action Center for the Environment (GRACE) http://www.gracelinks.org/about.html . The GRACE web site addresses a number of social concerns, including factory farming. The organization’s Factory Farm Project (directly accessible at: http://www.factoryfarm.org ) functions to eliminate factory farming in favor of more environmentally sound agriculture, working both at the grassroots level and in conjunction with the Henry Spira/GRACE Project on Industrial Animal Production at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for a Livable Future in the School of Public Health. The grassroots campaign helps communities oppose factory farms, while the Spira/Grace Project addresses the impacts of industrial agriculture on human and animal health and the environment. A visit to the site map provides a good overview of the site, which includes an animal welfare page.  Much of the site consists of links to many other helpful sites. It is an informative, well organized, easy to use, much recommended site!!

http://www.gracelinks.org/about.html


15.  DRUG STUDY ARTICLE CORRECTION: The Associated Press (AP) has issued a correction to an article which was summarized in the previous issue of Farmed Animal Watch. The article reported that a USDA study found pig producers lost $45 million in 1999 by administering antibiotics to pigs for purposes of growth promotion. That amount is instead how much producers would have lost had they not used the drugs, since the animals they marketed weighed more than they would have without them.

“AP Corrects Animal Drug Story,” The Associated Press, May 18, 2001.
http://biz.yahoo.com/apf/010518/animal_drugs_corrective.html