Farmed Animal Watch
May 25, 2001                                              (To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #9

CONTENTS

1.    National Cattle Survey Finds Lameness, Lesions & Lead Shot
2.    UEP Warns Animal Welfare Concerns Will Not Go Away
3.    Automated Live Bird Hanging System
4.    British Jewish Board Considers Pre-Slaughter Stunning
5.    Piglet Castration Study
6.    New Zealand SPCA Toughens Stance on Animal Cruelty
7.    Animal Protection Societies Join Others Entering Meat Market
8.    American Humane Association Looking to Help Keep Pork Exports Flowing
9.    Industry Commentator Lauds Alternative Production
10.  Industrial-Strength Organics
11.  America’s Best Pork Program
12.  Global Meat Appetite Soaring, Feedlot Production Growing
13.  Drug Use Risks and Benefits
14.  Ways to Reduce Calf Stress
15.  Beef Industry Promotes Veal Burger


1.  NATIONAL CATTLE SURVEY FINDS LAMENESS, LESIONS & LEAD SHOT
Industry concerns identified by the 1999 National Market Cow and Bull Beef Quality Audit include: bruising, antibiotic residues, arthritic joints, the body condition (e.g., emaciation and “downers”) of marketed cows and bulls, and the presence of lead shot in cattle. An estimated 10,000 animals (0.3%) were contaminated with lead shot in 1999. [The study did not explain the source of the lead shot.]  Lameness of some degree was seen in 31.4% of the cattle, and 0.8% of  cattle were disabled or nonambulatory. Losses due to lameness were greater than those found in a 1994 audit. Scratches and scarring of the skin (“latent defects”) were identified on 60% of the cattle evaluated, and 20% of audited cattle had 2 or 3 branding marks.

“National Market Cow and Bull Beef Quality Audit–1999: A survey of producer-related defects in market cows and bulls,” The Journal of Animal Science, March 2001.
http://www.asas.org/jas/abs/2001/a0130658.htm


2.  UEP WARNS ANIMAL WELFARE CONCERNS WILL NOT GO AWAY
Speaking at the March meeting of the American Egg Board, a spokesman for United Egg Producers (UEP) made an “impassioned plea” for all involved in the egg industry to immediately notify UEP of any legislation or other animal welfare related activities. He emphasized that the “problem” will not go away and much work is needed to address the problems created by animal activists. Another speaker told of promotional efforts with women’s magazines, particularly with food editors, with a total circulation of 241 million.

“Meeting Report: American Egg Board,” Egg Industry, April 2001.
http://www.wattnet.com


3.  AUTOMATED LIVE BIRD HANGING SYSTEM
Georgia researchers are close to developing a viable commercial prototype of an automated system that can shackle live birds to a slaughter line. It is comprised of a grasping system that uses revolving rubber fingers to lift the bird’s body while the conveyor drives the bird’s legs into an awaiting shackle. Ultimately, the system is anticipated to save the industry money. A lead researcher states, “The challenge....is gaining an understanding of what it takes to handle a live, thinking, animate object.”

“Researchers Make Steps in Automated Live Bird Hanging,” Meat News, May 9, 2001.
http://www.meatnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Article&artNum=1092


4.  BRITISH JEWISH BOARD CONSIDERS PRE-SLAUGHTER STUNNING
At the prompting of the RSPCA, the Board of Deputies of British Jews has agreed to examine electronic stunning of animals killed in accordance with kosher slaughter. Under Jewish tradition, an animal’s heart must still be beating when the animal is knifed, but electrical stunning stops the heart. The matter will be considered by the religious court and the Chief Rabbi. The RSPCA has already met with some success with Muslim organizations, with the majority of halal meat now being obtained from animals who were stunned at the time of death. The last large scientific investigation into religious slaughter, published in 1985 reported that, according to the most up-to-date scientific evidence, “religious methods of slaughter, even when carried out under ideal conditions, must result in a degree of pain, suffering and distress that does not occur in the properly stunned animal.”

“Jewish Board to consider stunning of animals before ritual knife slaughter,” The Electronic Telegraph, David Bamber, May 20, 2001.     
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=000140326706927&rtmo=wKos0Qob&atmo=wKos0Qob&pg=/et/01/5/20/nstun20.html


5.  PIGLET AGE AND CASTRATION STUDY
Researchers measured the vocal and behavioral responses of piglets of different ages (3, 10 and 17 days old) to castration. The piglets vocalized three times more  high frequency calls than did a control group on which mock castration was performed, indicating the degree of actual pain associated with the procedure (in contrast to distress). It was determined that piglet age does not affect the degree of pain experienced from castration, though other factors (e.g., distress) may be affected by it. [Editor’s note: This contradicts previous claims that younger pigs are less sensitive to painful stimuli.]

“Behavioral responses of piglets to castration: the effect of piglet age,” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 73 (1): 35-43, July 2, 2001.    
http://www.elsevier.co.jp/locate/issn/01681591


6.  NEW ZEALAND SPCA TOUGHENS STANCE ON ANIMAL CRUELTY
The New Zealand SPCA has added confrontation to its strategy of consultation in dealing with animal welfare issues, including hen cages and sow crates. The organization adopted the new stance out of concern that industries might take advantage of the fact that the SPCA would refrain from campaigning on an issue while consulting with an industry on it. Commenting on sow stalls, the SPCA president stated, “There’s a good chance of reaching agreement with the industry on this issue, not least because pork producers know that, internationally, the writing is on the wall for sow stalls. European countries are getting rid of them and they’re already banned in the United Kingdom.” He singled out the egg industry in urging other branches of industry to responsibly negotiate.

“SPCA Gets Tough on Animal Cruelty,” Royal New Zealand SPCA press release, The Newsroom,
May 21, 2001.
http://www.newsroom.co.nz/story/47257-37-0.html


7.  ANIMAL PROTECTION SOCIETIES JOIN OTHERS ENTERING MEAT MARKET
Britain’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is negotiating a nationwide deal to sell organic meat. The organization, which has criticized intensive farming practices, is the latest of a number of prominent conservation charities queuing to sell agricultural products. The RSPCA has a labeling scheme for animal products entitled “Freedom Foods.” The National Trust, Britain’s largest private landowner, is developing a labeling scheme for “environmentally-conscious” beef, lamb and dairy products. (Its Scottish sister organization markets “own branded” venison from 700 deer killed last year on its 72,000 acre estate.) The Wildlife Trusts, a network of local groups owning reserves across Britain, sells beef and pork and plans to market endorsed milk from its tenant farmers. In response, the National Farmers Union has launched a Red Tractor logo to label products meeting stricter animal welfare, food safety and industrial safety standards. Critics from the green movement argue that by moving into food production and hoping to befriend farmers, the charities will inevitably weaken their ability to attack these farmers for using unacceptable practices.

“RSPB to sell organic meat in high street,” The Organic Trade Services, May 24, 2001
http://www.organicts.com/newpros/general/index.shtml


8. AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION LOOKING TO HELP KEEP PORK EXPORTS FLOWING
Les Viandes du Breton’s “all natural,” antibiotic-free pork is the first pig product certified by the American Humane Association (AHA)’s “Free Farmed” program. The Canadian company’s farms, facilities and practices meet the AHA’s standards for being “humane.” The meat bearing the “Free Farmed” logo will be marketed by Whole Foods Markets throughout the U.S.  Farm Animal Services (FAS) is a separate nonprofit organization created to implement and monitor the AHA standards, which are based on guidelines developed by the British RSPCA for its “Freedom Foods” animal product labeling scheme. Six U.S. farms, producing beef, dairy, egg and poultry products, have also been certified. For a $400/year inspection fee and $.50 per animal, FAS and AHA will help advertise and direct market certified products. AHA/FAS spokeswoman Adele Douglass explains, “The organization is looking to the future, recognizing that the U.S. will need some type of standard to keep exports flowing.” 

“Du Breton Natural Pork Earns Animal Welfare Certification,” National Hog Farmer, Gretchen Vander Wal, May 15, 2001.
http://industryclick.com/magazinearticle.asp?magazineid=17&releaseid=6323&magazinearticleid=102686&siteid=5


9.  INDUSTRY COMMENTATOR LAUDS ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTION
Acknowledging that the pig industry has environmental and animal welfare image problems, meat industry commentator Dan Murphy lauded an alternative production system in his May 11^th column. Mr. Murphy wrote: “I’ve been to plenty of modern sow barns, and I have to be honest: It’s an unsettling sight to see dozens of sows confined to concrete-and-rubber matted stalls barely big enough to lay down lengthwise.” He went on to describe a Quebec company, Les Viandes du Breton, the first company to carry the American Humane Association’s “Free Farmed” certification seal. [See previous article.]

“Winds of Change in Pork Industry Bringing Sweet Smell of Success,” The Meating Place, Dan Murphy, May 11, 2001.
http://www.meatingplace.com


10.  INDUSTRIAL-STRENGTH ORGANICS
An article in the May 13^th New York Times Magazine contemplates the industrialization of the organic food industry. For example, Horizon, a $127 million public corporation controls 70% of the retail organic milk market and keeps thousands of cows on factory “farms,” eating organic grain and tethered to milking machines thrice daily. With the organic market growing 20% a year for more than a decade, the writer concludes that agribusiness has decided the best way to deal with this alternative is to own it.

“Behind the Organic-Industrial Complex,” The New York Times Magazine, Michael Pollan, May 13, 2001.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/13/magazine/13ORGANIC.html


11.  AMERICA’S BEST PORK PROGRAM
Farmland Industries, a pig producer cooperative, has a 15-point checklist for members to follow to meet quality and food safety guidelines and qualify for the cooperative’s “America’s Best Pork Program.” The checklist, known as a Process Verification Program (PVP) received USDA approval last May. Some animal welfare points are included, such as very general handling procedures. It is a “systems-specific program,” with the main restriction being no outdoor production. A number of operations, including some very large systems, with a total of 240,000 sows are enrolled in the program.

“Process Verification Program Answers Independents’ Call,” National Hog Farmer, May 15, 2001.
http://industryclick.com/magazinearticle.asp?magazineid=17&releaseid=6323&magazinearticleid=102681&siteid=5


12.  DRUG USE RISKS AND BENEFITS
Antibiotic feed additives increase the probability of a drug-resistant disease outbreak and increase treatment costs since more expensive drugs are needed to treat such a disease, according to a recent USDA report. Farmed animal production practices are the cause of at least 10% of the problems of drug-resistant organisms in humans. A partial or full ban on industry’s use of antibiotics could  drive up costs for producers, especially those with animals in concentrated feeding operations where diseases can rapidly spread and disease outbreaks might take a heavy toll.

“USDA Report Discounts Adverse Effects of Antimicrobial Feed Additives,” The Meating Place, Tom Cosgrove, May 22, 2001.
http://www.mtgplace.com/meatingplace/DailyNews/News.asp?ID=7480


13.  GLOBAL MEAT APPETITE SOARING, FEEDLOT PRODUCTION GROWING
The global appetite for meat has soared since 1961, with the number of mammalian farmed animals up 60% and poultry having quadrupled to 15.7 billion. Feedlot production, the fastest growing method of raising farmed animals, has become a major threat to air, soil and water quality. In the U.S., livestock produce 130 times more manure than do humans, and feedlot production has been adopted by “developing” countries. The demand for meat has also boosted the feeding of antibiotics to farmed animals, further threatening the effectiveness of these drugs, some of which are also used in human medicine.

“All-You-Can-Eat Economy is Making the World Sick,” Vital Signs 2001, WorldWatch Institute, May 24, 2001.
http://www.worldwatch.org/alerts/010524.html


14.  WAYS TO REDUCE CALF STRESS
Calmly handling calves, keeping them on pasture, and putting the cow and calf in  adjoining pastures at wean time, are among the ways offered by University of Missouri researchers to reduce calf stress.  Moving calves to a dry (dirt) lot subjects calves to stress since they are more likely to get wet and muddy.

“Early weaning, faster finishing,” Beef Magazine, May 1, 2001.
http://industryclick.com/magazinearticle.asp?magazineid=13&releaseid=6311&magazinearticleid=102356&SiteID=5


15.  BEEF INDUSTRY PROMOTES VEAL BURGER
Champps Americana, a 40-unit U.S. restaurant chain, added a veal burger to its permanent menu in April. Originally test marketed, it became the chain’s best seller within 9 months. In August, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and state beef councils will be running promotions to increase the sale of veal burgers, introduce a new “casual” form of veal, and introduce veal to those who have never tried it.

“Veal Burger Promotion,” Meat News, May 21, 2001.
http://www.meatnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Article&artNum=1146
“Beef Industry Promotes Popular Veal Burgers,” AgWeb News, Darcy Maulsby, May 16, 2001.
http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?file=AgNewsArticle_2001516157_329&newscat=GN