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1.
PIGS IMPLICATED; FOOD SAFETY SYSTEM BLASTED
Bacteria with the same DNA “fingerprint”
as that obtained from victims of the contaminated
spinach outbreak (see: http://tinyurl.com/ucw8e
) has been found in cows only in a pasture adjacent
to the field in which the spinach was grown, and from
a stream running through the pasture, California health
officials report. It is considered unlikely that the
bacteria could have been washed into the field by
rainwater since the pasture and the stream are downhill
from the field, and irrigation wells are at least
a mile away. E. coli taken from the intestines of
one of many wild pigs who roam the ranch also had
the same DNA fingerprint. There were holes in a fence
between the pasture and the spinach field, and numerous
pig tracks in the field. Because of this, the pigs
are being eyed as suspects. A representative of the
California Department of Health Services wouldn’t
say whether killing off the wild pigs will be a recommended
way of “reducing that risk factor.”
How many people have to be sickened or die, and how
many crops and livelihoods have to be destroyed, before
it becomes obvious that voluntary is not good enough?
Prompted by the recent E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak, Marion
Nestle, author and professor of nutrition, food studies
and public health, asks this question in regard to
food production safeguards. She identifies “huge
gaps in the nation's century-old and highly dysfunctional
food safety system.” She explains inadequacies
of various government agencies, faulting Congress
for not having given any of them the authority or
resources to oversee what happens on farms.
According to the Center for Science
in the Public Interest, contaminated produce is now
responsible for the most cases of 0157:H7. The potent
strain causes infection at very low doses and survives
heat, drying, and acid conditions better than typical
E. coli. The “highly regarded, state-of-the-art,
triple-washing procedures” employed at the facility
where the implicated spinach was processed failed
to eliminate it. Because of this, prevention is essential,
Nestle explains, and since it takes a minimum of two
weeks from the time someone becomes ill until warnings
or recalls can be issued. She offers several “lessons”
on improving food safety, including that cattle be
moved out of feedlots and be put back on pasture.
Studies show that factory-farmed cattle have 300 times
more pathogenic bacteria in their digestive tracts
than cattle who are allowed to openly graze in pastures.
See: http://tinyurl.com/yn4fps
DID WILD PIGS CAUSE E. COLI OUTBREAK?
The Austin American-Statesman, Jeff Nesmith, October
26, 2006
http://tinyurl.com/yxj327
THE SPINACH FALLOUT
The Mercury News, Marion Nestle, Oct. 23, 2006
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/editorial/15831146.htm
2.
ARIZONA NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT PROPOSITION 204
Opponents of Arizona’s Proposition
204, the anti-crating initiative (see: http://tinyurl.com/ybdwy6
), contend that it is being advanced by animal rights
activists from outside the state. "It is a bunch
of animal right activists trying to push their political
agenda on meat production here in Arizona," asserts
one local rancher who claims that all the money is
coming from out of state: http://tinyurl.com/yjms5l.
However, Arizona's top three newspapers have come
out in favor of the initiative. They include the East
Valley Tribune, which acknowledges initial skepticism
due to the libertarian nature of its editorial board:
http://tinyurl.com/ykn389.
The Arizona Republic notes that, while Prop. 204 opponents
say the animals are well cared for, the one existing
pig operation that would be affected refuses to grant
access to reporters. The newspaper contends: “Imposing
new regulations on an existing industry is a serious
step. But it is appropriate to restrict business practices
that fall below a level of basic human decency.”
The newspaper concludes: “Proposition 204 is
right for Arizona.”
Jim Klinker, administrator of the Arizona Farm Bureau
Federation and chairman of the "NO on 204"
campaign, argues that operating outside of confinement
agriculture would cause food costs to exceed 10% of
average wages. Cheryl Naumann, president of the Arizona
Humane Society and head of the "Vote YES on 204"
campaign, counters that of the more than 200 registered
Arizona pig farms, only one employs the crates that
would be banned. Both Klinker and Naumann cite professional
sources supporting their positions. The campaign is
a heated one, with each side spending over a million
dollars in advertising and accusing the other side
of underhanded behavior. A recent Grand Canyon State
Poll found that 72% of likely voters said they will
vote yes, with 16% opposing the ban: http://tinyurl.com/yzorpy
A SIMPLE CASE OF DECENCY
The Arizona Republic, Editorial, Oct. 19, 2006
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/1019thur1-19.html
FOOD-ANIMAL INITIATIVE RAISES HACKLES
Arizona Business Gazette, Howard Fischer, Oct. 26,
2006
http://www.azcentral.com/abgnews/articles/1026abg-pigs1026.html
3.
UTAH AG INTERESTS OPPOSE ANTI-CRUELTY LEGISLATION
For the last two years, a bill that
would make animal cruelty a third degree felony in
Utah passed the state house but failed to make it
through the state senate. The failure is being attributed
to the effect the bill could have on animal agriculture.
"We're simply concerned that whatever we do that
we don't open the door to taking away from animal
operations, their ability to manage their animals,
do those things that have been commonly accepted for
100 150 years [sic]," stated Todd Bingham of
the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. Proponents of the
bill say the language in it clearly states that the
agriculture community needn’t worry, noting
that 41 other states have similar laws making animal
cruelty a felony. “There's exemptions for animals
used in agriculture or the rodeo, in accordance with
accepted husbandry practices," explains Gene
Baierschmidt with the Humane Society of Utah. Bingham
counters: "What is commonly accepted on a farm
as practices with animals is not potentially understood
by the general public who has grown up in an urban
setting." Supporters plan to try passing the
bill through the state senate first in the next legislative
session, which is still a few months away.
ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS HELD UP BY AGRICULTURE
CONCERNS
KSL TV, Whit Johnson, October 24, 2006
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=590909
4.
"MILK-FED PORCELET"
In the U.S. pig industry, the average
age for weaning piglets was reduced by 9.5 days (from
28.8 days down to 19.3 days) between 1990 and 2000,
according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However,
for the past five years or so, the average weaning
age has been increasing in order to quicken piglet
weight gain and increase sow reproductivity, and for
higher profitability. Piglets are now typically nursed
for 2-3 weeks before they are separated from their
mother, and are slaughtered at between 22-26 weeks
of age: http://tinyurl.com/ww3tw.
Now, Newark, New Jersey-based D'Artagnan, “known
largely for its organic game and poultry” [including
foie gras], has begun to exclusively distribute “a
unique piglet called milk-fed porcelet.” The
piglets, of the Yorkshire breed, are weaned at one
week and killed at eight weeks of age. Their age and
milk-only diet “are believed to foster a delicate
texture and taste.” The piglets are being raised
by St-Canut Farms in Quebec.
WEANING AGE IMPACT ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE
National Hog Farmer, M. Todd, Oct. 15, 2005
http://nationalhogfarmer.com/mag/farming_weaning_age_impact/
D'ARTAGNAN MARKETS UNIQUE PIGLET TO U.S. CHEFS
Meating Place, Ann Bagel Storck, Oct. 26, 2006
http://www.meatingplace.com/MembersOnly/webNews/details.aspx?item=16734
5.
TRI-COUNTRY "TRI-LAMB" INITIATIVE
Historically, Australia, New Zealand
and the U.S. have considered each other as competitors
for U.S. lamb consumers’ money. However, representatives
of the lamb industry in these three countries will
meet in Denver in early November to discuss plans
for cooperative lamb meat promotion and research initiatives
in the U.S. Since the beginning of the 1900s, per
capita lamb consumption in the U.S. has been static
or decreasing. “Up to 80% of all Americans say
they haven’t tried lamb,” said Michelle
Gorman, regional manager or Meat and Livestock Australia.
“Annual consumption of lamb in the U.S. is about
1.3 pound (0.6kg) per person, which represents less
than 1% of U.S. meat consumption, so the challenge
is significant,” she explains, “In comparison,
Australians consume about 22 pounds (10.2kg) per person
per year.” The U.S. remains Australia’s
largest and most valuable export lamb market. The
“Tri-Lamb” initiative will focus on promoting
nutritional aspects of lamb meat.
COOPERATION IN LAMB PROMOTION
Meat News, Oct. 25, 2006
http://www.meatnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&artNum=12751
6.
FEWER EGGS IN THE E.U.
European Union (E.U.) residents will
consume the equivalent of three fewer eggs per person
this year as compared to last. Egg consumption had
dropped the equivalent of about 4 eggs in 2005 compared
to 2004. This trend is believed to be due in part
to a diminishing image of eggs as a product. E.U.
egg production will be 1.5% lower this year than last.
Belgium and Spain in particular will experience lower
egg production. Belgian egg farms are said to be in
dire need of alternative housing system upgrades.
Production has ceased entirely where necessary developments
have not begun. A lower than expected export market
is the cause of Spain’s decreased production
levels.
EU PRODUCING AND EATING LESS EGGS
World Poultry, Oct. 24, 2006
http://tinyurl.com/y6jxlh
7.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 1st is World Vegan Day, “a
global celebration of a healthy and compassionate
lifestyle free from all animal products” intended
“to promote health, environmental stewardship
and compassion for animals.” The U.K.’s
Animal Aid points out that by rejecting egg and dairy
products one can avoid contributing to the death of
the many millions of male chicks hatched by the egg
industry every year, as well as the suffering and
death of male calves born to dairy herds. The organization
suggests celebrating the day by urging school and
work cafeterias to offer alternatives to these products.
In the U.S., In Defense of Animals (IDA)
is observing World Go Vegan Days from Oct. 27-29th.
IDA is promoting it as “an excellent opportunity
to help the meat eaters in your life understand why
and how you became vegan so that perhaps they can
achieve their higher aspirations.” Participating
restaurants will be offering specials and discounts,
with half-price vegan meals for each nonvegetarian
dining with a vegan paying full-price. Other suggestions
for participating can be found at: http://www.idausa.org/vegandays/action.html
WORLD VEGAN DAY IS FAST APPROACHING
Ham & High, Kelly Slade, October 26, 2006
http://tinyurl.com/y8gp2c
CELEBRATE WORLD GO VEGAN DAYS THIS WEEKEND
http://www.idausa.org/vegandays/feature_061025.html
THE FOOD, ETHICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE will
be held Nov. 16-17 at Princeton University (in New
Jersey). “The conference will explore the issues
and ethical dilemmas surrounding U.S. food production,
as well as the individual choices people make.”
Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, and Peter Singer will
participate with presentations, discussions and panel
debate considering:
• How industrial food production systems affect
the environment.
• Comparison of locally grown and organic foods
versus large-scale industrial food production systems.
• Concern for the welfare of animals raised
for meat, eggs and dairy products.
• Issues for institutions regarding food choices.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration
is required and seating is limited. For more information,
visit http://www.princeton.edu/~eating/
'FARMING, WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT - COMMUNICATING
LESSONS INTO PRACTICE' is the title of a conference
to be held November 22nd in London, England. Organized
by The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental
Management (U.K.), the conference aims “to focus
on farm scale delivery and the
current water, environmental and agricultural environmental
agenda, how this
can be delivered more effectively and knowing what
works. Issues that require the effective delivery
of farm scale practice will be discussed during this
conference: diffuse pollution, nutrients, pesticides,
bacterial contamination of rivers, organic pollution,
siltation of salmonid streams, muddy floods, soil
erosion, enhancing the biodiversity of rivers and
wetlands.” More info at: http://www.unesco.org/water/water_events/Detailed/1383.shtml
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