Ethical Issues in Animal Agriculture

“A Welfare Perspective”

Krista NelsonOctober 27, 2004

Definitions

Animal Welfare: state of well-being, in which at least basic needs are met and suffering is minimized(Spedding, 2000)

Animal Rights: a belief system that animals intrinsically have the same rights to life and liberty as afforded to humans (Getz and Baker, 1990)

Why do we care?

•Legislation

•Urbanization

•Philosophers

•Media

•Disney Effect

The Issues

• Biological Functioning

• Affective States

• Natural Lives

Interlinked? The pig example

(Benson, 2004)

The Five Freedoms

•Freedom from hunger and thirst

•Freedom from discomfort

•Freedom from pain, injury or disease

•Freedom to express normal behavior

•Freedom from fear and distress•Developed from the Farm Animal Welfare Council

(Spedding, 2000)

Are current farm animal production systems ethical?

ConsiderationsConsiderations::

Animal welfareAnimal welfare•Is the animal harmed? Is the animal harmed? •Are the animals’ needs met?Are the animals’ needs met?

Human obligationsHuman obligations•Are the animals being used Are the animals being used responsibly?responsibly?•What is the impact on the What is the impact on the environment?environment?

(Croney, 2004)(Croney, 2004)

Welfare in Beef Cattle Production

Branding: hot iron, freeze, micro-chip

Dehorning: genetics vs. mechanics

Castration: Is it necessary?

(Benson, Rollin, 2004)

Branding and Dehorning

Welfare in Dairy Cattle Production

Housing: slope of surfaces, bedding material, stall dimensions

Tail Docking: necessary?

Calf Rearing: weaning, housing

(Benson, Rollin, 2004)

High Productivity: hunger, metabolic and physical exhaustion

(Webster, 1995)

Dairy Facilities

Veal Calves

Welfare in Swine Production

Gestation Crates: 2 X 7 ft. Computerized feeding systems

Floor Feeding

Farrowing Crates: Decreased nesting behavior

Piglets: Tail docking, castration, early weaning

(Benson, Rollin, 2004)

Gestation Crates

Farrowing Crate

Welfare in Poultry Production

Laying Hens: Beak trimming, crowding, dust bathing, forced molting, social disorder

Broilers: Fast growth

(Benson, Rollin, 2004)

Layers and Broilers

                                          

Why do we have questionable production practices?

Consumer demandConsumer demand: Safe, cheap, : Safe, cheap, high quality, consistent foodhigh quality, consistent food

EfficiencyEfficiency: Labor, distribution, : Labor, distribution, priceprice

Animal protection and careAnimal protection and care: : From From predators, predators, environmental environmental extremes, extremes, veterinary care, veterinary care, nutritionnutrition

(Croney, 2004)(Croney, 2004)

Animal Welfare Reform Efforts

2001: OR ballot measure 1792001: OR ballot measure 179 proposed making it “a class A proposed making it “a class A misdemeanor to confine farm misdemeanor to confine farm pigs in enclosure or tether them pigs in enclosure or tether them in a manner that prevents them in a manner that prevents them from turning around”from turning around”

–Aimed to ban gestation Aimed to ban gestation crates (excluded confinement crates (excluded confinement for exam, testing & farrowing)for exam, testing & farrowing)

(Croney, 2004)(Croney, 2004)

Animal Welfare Reform Efforts

•Animal Welfare Guidelines adopted Animal Welfare Guidelines adopted by: by: McDonald’s, Burger King, McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Pizza HutWendy’s, Pizza Hut

•June 2002: FMI and the National June 2002: FMI and the National Council of Chain Restaurants Council of Chain Restaurants released guidelines for treatment and released guidelines for treatment and handling of animals used for food handling of animals used for food (FMI & NCCR members include (FMI & NCCR members include Safeway, Walmart, Kroger’s Safeway, Walmart, Kroger’s Albertson’s, Applebee’s…)Albertson’s, Applebee’s…)

(Croney, 2004)(Croney, 2004)

What can you do?

EducationEducation: know what you are : know what you are supporting with your purchasing supporting with your purchasing powerpower

E.g., organic E.g., organic ≠ ≠ cruelty freecruelty free

Vote with your pocketbookVote with your pocketbookKey to change is not to stop Key to change is not to stop

buying buying animal products, but to animal products, but to buy products buy products that support animal that support animal welfarewelfare

Niche marketsNiche markets “cruelty free”, “animal “cruelty free”, “animal friendly” labelsfriendly” labels

Support reasonable legislative effortsSupport reasonable legislative efforts

(Croney, 2004)

References

Benson, G.J., and B.E. Rollin. 2004. The Well-being of farm animals challenges and solution. Blackwell Publishing. Aimes, Iowa. First ed.

Croney, Candace. 2004. Oregon State University ANS 315. OSU Printing and Mailing Services.

Getz, W.R., and F. H. Baker. 1990. Educational methodology in dealing with animal rights and welfare in public service. J. Anim. Sci. 68:3468-3474.

Spedding, Collin. 2000. Animal Welfare. Earthscan Publications Ltd. Sterling, VA.

Webster, John. Animal Welfare a Cool Eye Towards Eden. Blackwell Science, Ltd. Cambridge, MA.