After extensive review the American Veterinarian Medical Association has issued a rebuttal of the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Production 2008 Report, "Putting Meat on the Table; Industrial Farm Production in America."
The Pew Commission report asserts, without supporting evidence, that growth-enhancing antibiotics and therapy are responsible for the emergence of drug resistant pathogens affecting the population, according to the AVMA.
Areas of concern raised with respect to the Pew Report include:
•Failure to incorporate findings from subject matter presented by experts who advised the Commission, and
•Bias against commercial-scale farm operations without adequate scientific substantiation.
The defects in the Pew Report have significance to the intensive livestock industry. The alleged findings have been used to support H.R.1549 and S. 619 – The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act.
It is considered significant that an advertising campaign was initiated by Pew in Washington mass transit centers with the intent of influencing congressional staffers and policy makers.
AVMA CEO Dr. Ron DeHaven decried the advertising campaign in congressional testimony and stated, “While the ads may be engaging, they are misleading and contain information that is scientifically untrue”.
For further information on the AVMA response access www.avma.org/advocacy/PEWresponse
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Conventional versus organic production
Even though both conventional and organic production can be sustainable, organic production is actually less healthy for the planet than conventional production, in the view of Alex Avery, director of research for the Hudson Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.
Organic farming leaves a larger footprint, he says, because it’s less efficient, thus more land has to be brought into production, and means less land for wildlife, he says. He continues that contrary to what some contend, both small and large farms can be models of sustainability.
rBST and dairy
Avery believes that the very same people who oppose rBST for dairy cows should be embracing it because it makes cows more efficient, thus it is a more sustainable model. “The debate on rBST needs to be reopened,” he says. In his view “we have a responsibility” to make agricultural production as efficient as possible.
But, he says, the public discussion of agricultural sustainability “is horribly one sided,” because those with an agenda of organic farming and small farms have gained access key makers of opinion, such as The New York Times, Oprah, and Rachel Ray. The facts, he says, suggest that conventional agriculture is more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.
For example, data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that organic farming increases soil erosion because neither nitrogen fertilizers nor herbicides can be used, meaning that no-till farming cannot be part of the organic model.
Free range chickens
Giovanni Gasperoni, executive vice president for Novus International, has a concern that the voices from wealthy urban groups will drown out reason on defining sustainability. In his view, free range egg production actually is less sustainable because more land and more resources are required, not to mention the fact that eggs from such a system cost more.
Put another way, the end result of California’s Proposition 2, which passed last November by an overwhelming margin (it outlaws battery cages by 2015 in the state, but cannot stop the import of eggs from other states, or countries, into California) is a system that is actually less sustainable, long term, than the conventional model.
But that, Giovanni and others say, was a difficult point to get across to citizens of San Francisco and West Hollywood during the heat of the debate. Giovanni also has a concern that if some groups who push for organic and free range have their way, eggs and other products will become less affordable for those without high incomes.
At the same time, agriculture has become increasingly more sustainable, Avery has concerns about efforts of urban-based food activist groups “who romanticize the past” and try to define sustainability as small farms because they don’t like anything too big or animals confined. And he is concerned that such groups have the attention of the media, allowing them to set the agenda for what sustainability is, a fact that those involved in agriculture must be aware of. One of the most important missions of agriculture, he says, is to counter such groups with facts on what sustainability is, and is not.
Organic farming leaves a larger footprint, he says, because it’s less efficient, thus more land has to be brought into production, and means less land for wildlife, he says. He continues that contrary to what some contend, both small and large farms can be models of sustainability.
rBST and dairy
Avery believes that the very same people who oppose rBST for dairy cows should be embracing it because it makes cows more efficient, thus it is a more sustainable model. “The debate on rBST needs to be reopened,” he says. In his view “we have a responsibility” to make agricultural production as efficient as possible.
But, he says, the public discussion of agricultural sustainability “is horribly one sided,” because those with an agenda of organic farming and small farms have gained access key makers of opinion, such as The New York Times, Oprah, and Rachel Ray. The facts, he says, suggest that conventional agriculture is more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.
For example, data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that organic farming increases soil erosion because neither nitrogen fertilizers nor herbicides can be used, meaning that no-till farming cannot be part of the organic model.
Free range chickens
Giovanni Gasperoni, executive vice president for Novus International, has a concern that the voices from wealthy urban groups will drown out reason on defining sustainability. In his view, free range egg production actually is less sustainable because more land and more resources are required, not to mention the fact that eggs from such a system cost more.
Put another way, the end result of California’s Proposition 2, which passed last November by an overwhelming margin (it outlaws battery cages by 2015 in the state, but cannot stop the import of eggs from other states, or countries, into California) is a system that is actually less sustainable, long term, than the conventional model.
But that, Giovanni and others say, was a difficult point to get across to citizens of San Francisco and West Hollywood during the heat of the debate. Giovanni also has a concern that if some groups who push for organic and free range have their way, eggs and other products will become less affordable for those without high incomes.
At the same time, agriculture has become increasingly more sustainable, Avery has concerns about efforts of urban-based food activist groups “who romanticize the past” and try to define sustainability as small farms because they don’t like anything too big or animals confined. And he is concerned that such groups have the attention of the media, allowing them to set the agenda for what sustainability is, a fact that those involved in agriculture must be aware of. One of the most important missions of agriculture, he says, is to counter such groups with facts on what sustainability is, and is not.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Sri Lankan poultry industry faces severe maize shortage
The Sri Lankan poultry industry is facing an acute shortage of maize and fears collapse if the government does not act soon, Dr. D.D. Wanasinghe, chairman of the All-Island Poultry Association, told the Daily Mirror.
The government must lift the ban on maize imports to tide over the impending crisis, Wanasinghe was quoted as saying.
About 48,000 metric tons of maize is needed for the poultry industry to survive from September until February next year, when the next harvesting season sets in, he added.
The government must lift the ban on maize imports to tide over the impending crisis, Wanasinghe was quoted as saying.
About 48,000 metric tons of maize is needed for the poultry industry to survive from September until February next year, when the next harvesting season sets in, he added.
Hy-Line investigates alleged abuses
On Sept. 1, PETA posted a video on its website based on an “undercover investigation” by the pro-vegan group, Mercy for Animals, showing operations at a Hy-Line hatchery in Spencer, Iowa. This investigation showed a number of cruel and abusive practices, and focused primarily on the euthanizing of the male chicks.
That same day, Hy-Line International and Hy-Line North America issued a statement which said that the care and safety of the birds and employees is the company’s first priority. Hy-Line also said that they have initiated an immediate investigation to see if any animal welfare policies were violated and to take disciplinary action against anyone violating company policy. Hy-Line stated that the company is committed to meeting or exceeding all industry poultry welfare standards.
The video was taken in late May/early June, but just released. Hy-Line stated that the company wishes that it would have been made aware of the allegations immediately, so that a timelier investigation could have been made.
The video was in the PETA blog section, titled: “Unwanted Males Mutilated and Killed at Birth”. The blog emphasized the main points made on the video: Workers at an Iowa hatchery kill newborn male chicks every single day. Workers grab them by their wings, toss them onto conveyor belts, and throw them down a chute to spend their final moments in a grinding machine while they are still alive.
The Hy-Line release also stated: “Other hatchery procedures are shown in the video. These procedures are supported and approved by the animal veterinary and scientific community. Instantaneous euthanasia by maceration is specifically supported by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Federation of Animal Science Societies, Agriculture Canada, World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the European Union.”
That same day, Hy-Line International and Hy-Line North America issued a statement which said that the care and safety of the birds and employees is the company’s first priority. Hy-Line also said that they have initiated an immediate investigation to see if any animal welfare policies were violated and to take disciplinary action against anyone violating company policy. Hy-Line stated that the company is committed to meeting or exceeding all industry poultry welfare standards.
The video was taken in late May/early June, but just released. Hy-Line stated that the company wishes that it would have been made aware of the allegations immediately, so that a timelier investigation could have been made.
The video was in the PETA blog section, titled: “Unwanted Males Mutilated and Killed at Birth”. The blog emphasized the main points made on the video: Workers at an Iowa hatchery kill newborn male chicks every single day. Workers grab them by their wings, toss them onto conveyor belts, and throw them down a chute to spend their final moments in a grinding machine while they are still alive.
The Hy-Line release also stated: “Other hatchery procedures are shown in the video. These procedures are supported and approved by the animal veterinary and scientific community. Instantaneous euthanasia by maceration is specifically supported by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Federation of Animal Science Societies, Agriculture Canada, World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the European Union.”
Nadeau Poultry Farm lays off half of employees
Nadeau Poultry Farm in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada, has announced they will lay off 175 of its 340 employees, cbc.ca reported.
The reduction is being attributed to the firm's rival Group Westco sending its chickens to Quebec-based Olymel for slaughter. Nadeau, as a result, does not have enough business to justify the workers' shifts.
Earlier this year Nadeau opposed the ruling from Canada's Competition Tribunal that allowed Westco to go outside of New Brunswick for processing. Nadeau argued that since Westco controls 80% of the chickens in the province, processing should be kept in New Brunswick.
The reduction is being attributed to the firm's rival Group Westco sending its chickens to Quebec-based Olymel for slaughter. Nadeau, as a result, does not have enough business to justify the workers' shifts.
Earlier this year Nadeau opposed the ruling from Canada's Competition Tribunal that allowed Westco to go outside of New Brunswick for processing. Nadeau argued that since Westco controls 80% of the chickens in the province, processing should be kept in New Brunswick.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Britain reevaluates food production needs
The minister responsible for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — equivalent to USDA — indicated Britain, which imported 37% of food consumed during 2008, must produce more while using less water, energy and fertilizers.
Sharp rises in commodity prices last year served as a reminder of the vulnerability of the nation. Britain will have to compete with other industrialized countries in the EU for its share of global food production, which will have to satisfy the needs of a population of 9 billion by 2050, according to FAO estimates.
It is considered significant that for many years green principles and welfare have dominated the UK egg industry which has contracted in size, resulting in a reliance on imports.
Food security is becoming a political issue since the Conservative Party in opposition has accused the government of failing to promote sound agricultural policy in favor of imports.
The current UK situation brings the following issues to light: the need to recognize and support the contribution of intensive animal agriculture, to adopt new technology including GMO crop production and to balance the demands of environmental and welfare activists against the realities of consumer needs.
Sharp rises in commodity prices last year served as a reminder of the vulnerability of the nation. Britain will have to compete with other industrialized countries in the EU for its share of global food production, which will have to satisfy the needs of a population of 9 billion by 2050, according to FAO estimates.
It is considered significant that for many years green principles and welfare have dominated the UK egg industry which has contracted in size, resulting in a reliance on imports.
Food security is becoming a political issue since the Conservative Party in opposition has accused the government of failing to promote sound agricultural policy in favor of imports.
The current UK situation brings the following issues to light: the need to recognize and support the contribution of intensive animal agriculture, to adopt new technology including GMO crop production and to balance the demands of environmental and welfare activists against the realities of consumer needs.
Potential jurors for Illinois River lawsuit to answer questionnaire
Poultry companies named in the Illinois river watershed pollution case have prepared a list of 66 questions for potential jurors, including whether they eat organic food or know who Attorney General Drew Edmondson is, according to new reports.
Oklahoma will get a jury trial, to begin in September, based on a ruling from U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell.
The 12 poultry companies being sued by the state, including Tyson, wanted a bench trial.
Court documents show the poultry companies and the state agreed upon allowing a questionnaire when screening for jurors, in the case of a jury trial.
The questions also include where the potential jurors work and their level of education.
Oklahoma will get a jury trial, to begin in September, based on a ruling from U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell.
The 12 poultry companies being sued by the state, including Tyson, wanted a bench trial.
Court documents show the poultry companies and the state agreed upon allowing a questionnaire when screening for jurors, in the case of a jury trial.
The questions also include where the potential jurors work and their level of education.
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