ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALSANIMALS

AGST 3000AGST 3000

Agriculture, Society, and the Natural WorldAgriculture, Society, and the Natural World

Home Assignment for next week…Home Assignment for next week…

Access the websites on the next Access the websites on the next slide. Find at least two other sites, slide. Find at least two other sites, one that promotes animal welfare one that promotes animal welfare and one that promotes animal rights and one that promotes animal rights and bring the url for each. and bring the url for each.

Some Interesting SitesSome Interesting Siteshttp://www.animalagalliance.org/main/home.cfm?Section=Main&Category=Home

http://www.animalplace.org/

http://www.prorodeo.org/animals/

http://www.peta.org/

http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/index.html

http://www.hsus.org/ace/11513

HistoryHistory

Animal Ethics issue began in Europe Animal Ethics issue began in Europe in the 1960s.in the 1960s.

Ruth Harrison’s Ruth Harrison’s Animal MachinesAnimal Machines Brambell Committee 1965Brambell Committee 1965

1993 UK Farm Animal Welfare 1993 UK Farm Animal Welfare Council published the 5 new Council published the 5 new freedoms.freedoms.

HISTORY1866 – Henry Bergh founds American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

1896-1900 – Legislation is proposed in Congress to restrict vivisection via a system of regulations and periodic inspection of laboratories.

1951 – Animal Welfare Institute founded

1954 – Humane Society of the United States founded

HISTORY

1958 – Federal Humane Slaughter Act is passed.

1966 – Congress passes the American Welfare Act (AWA)

1990 – The Animal Legal Defense Fund and the HSUS both sue the USDA. The USDA extends AWA coverage to horses and other farm animals used in research.

A Global LookA Global Look

New Zealand has had an New Zealand has had an Animal Animal Protection Act of 1960Protection Act of 1960, but as the , but as the issue of animal ethics evolved the Act issue of animal ethics evolved the Act became inadequate. became inadequate.

Consumers, both domestic and Consumers, both domestic and overseas (the U.S.), wanted assurances overseas (the U.S.), wanted assurances that animals were being treated that animals were being treated humanely.humanely.

Est. Est. Animal Welfare Act of 1999Animal Welfare Act of 1999.. It focuses on It focuses on Preventing Preventing animal cruelty. animal cruelty.

A Global Look cont.A Global Look cont.

Switzerland is another example of a Switzerland is another example of a country with an Animal Welfare Act.country with an Animal Welfare Act. 1981 Swiss Animal Protection Act1981 Swiss Animal Protection Act - -

this act made Switzerland the first this act made Switzerland the first country to ban cages in egg production.country to ban cages in egg production.

Nests & perchesNests & perches 800 sq. centimeter 800 sq. centimeter

Swiss poultry farmers have made Swiss poultry farmers have made profits using this method.profits using this method.

Two Major Points of ViewTwo Major Points of View

(1) Animal Rights(1) Animal Rights - the goal is - the goal is ending all animal useending all animal use

no food, clothing, entertainment, medical no food, clothing, entertainment, medical research or huntingresearch or hunting

(2) Animal Welfare (2) Animal Welfare – demands that – demands that animals must be treated and used animals must be treated and used humanely.humanely.

Animals can be used for any purpose, but the Animals can be used for any purpose, but the responsibility of care and humane treatment responsibility of care and humane treatment lies with the humanlies with the human

ANIMAL WELFARE THOERYAnimal welfare is the theory

which maintains that it is morally acceptable to use nonhuman animals for human purposes as long as they are treated humanely and do not impose unnecessary suffering on them.

The goal of animal welfare is the regulation of animal use.

ORGANIZATIONS

• The Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC)

• Animal Agriculture Alliance

• The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

• The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

• The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)

ANIMAL RIGHTS THOERY

The animal rights theory maintains that we have no moral justification for using nonhuman animals for human purposes however humanely we treat them.n

The goal of animal rights activists is to abolish the use of animals.

ORGANIZATIONS

• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

• The Animal Place

• The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)

Understanding AgricultureUnderstanding Agriculture

Animal producers see themselves as Animal producers see themselves as more understanding of their animals’ more understanding of their animals’ needs than do the general public.needs than do the general public.

During WWII farmers still relied on their During WWII farmers still relied on their animals for their livelihood.animals for their livelihood.

By the 70s there was a move to commercial By the 70s there was a move to commercial production (industrialization of Agriculture).production (industrialization of Agriculture).

General Public might not be so well General Public might not be so well informed…informed…

Society is concerned with animal well-Society is concerned with animal well-being and depending on who they listen being and depending on who they listen to determines peoples impressionsto determines peoples impressions

this has prompted a response from the this has prompted a response from the food industry.food industry.

Resulted in industry changesResulted in industry changes

McDonald’s McDonald’s Animal Welfare Guiding PrinciplesAnimal Welfare Guiding Principles Wendy’s Animal Welfare Auditing Program Wendy’s Animal Welfare Auditing Program

Economic SignificanceEconomic Significance Treating animals inhumanely Treating animals inhumanely

results in economic costs.results in economic costs. Bruising of animals costs the Bruising of animals costs the

industries millions of dollars each year.industries millions of dollars each year. Australia $36 millionAustralia $36 million

With Pigs, using electric prods With Pigs, using electric prods causes bruising.causes bruising.

Improvements in these areas will Improvements in these areas will improve animal welfare as well as improve animal welfare as well as human safety.human safety.

ExamplesExamples

ISSUESISSUES

Animal Cruelty is against the Animal Cruelty is against the Law!Law!

Difficult Topic, No Easy AnswersDifficult Topic, No Easy Answers

Very PoliticalVery Political

Animal Rights vs. Animal WelfareAnimal Rights vs. Animal Welfare

How Animals are usedHow Animals are used

Animals for meatAnimals for meat Animals for milkAnimals for milk Animals for fiberAnimals for fiber Animals for pharmaceutical production (live)Animals for pharmaceutical production (live) Animals for pharmaceutical production (organs)Animals for pharmaceutical production (organs) Animals for researchAnimals for research Animals for companionshipAnimals for companionship Animals for exhibitionAnimals for exhibition Other?Other?

Animal AgricultureAnimal Agriculture

Pastoral vs. ConfinementPastoral vs. Confinement

DefineDefine

Pastoral vs. ConfinementPastoral vs. Confinement

ExampleExampleFree-Range System offer chickens a Free-Range System offer chickens a

choice between large indoor and choice between large indoor and outdoor runs.outdoor runs.

Agriculture as the targetAgriculture as the target

Why? Unscrupulous Producers…Why? Unscrupulous Producers…

Media sensationalismMedia sensationalism

PETA, ALFPETA, ALF

Again, what is justified, scientific, and valid…Again, what is justified, scientific, and valid…

Continues to be a difficult area for most Continues to be a difficult area for most peoplepeople

Specific Food and Fiber Specific Food and Fiber Specie IssuesSpecie Issues

Husbandry practices:Husbandry practices:

Based primarily on safety and health, Based primarily on safety and health, consumer preference, and economics.consumer preference, and economics.

Some specific practices, poorly understood Some specific practices, poorly understood by the public and are sources of by the public and are sources of misinformation disseminated by misinformation disseminated by opponents of animal agricultureopponents of animal agriculture

CATTLECATTLE1. Restraint1. Restraint

2. Management practices2. Management practicesa. brandinga. brandingb. dehorningb. dehorningc. castrationc. castrationd. ear tagging/markingd. ear tagging/marking

3. Dairy Industry3. Dairy Industrya. BST a. BST (Bovine Somatotropin)(Bovine Somatotropin)b. Genetics b. Genetics (bio-engineering)(bio-engineering)c. Calf rearing c. Calf rearing (confinement)(confinement)d. Veal production d. Veal production (abuses)(abuses)

Industry ConflictsIndustry Conflicts

BEEFBEEF IndustryIndustry:: Practices such as dehorning, castration and Practices such as dehorning, castration and

branding which cause some pain and can be branding which cause some pain and can be seen as animal cruelty.seen as animal cruelty.

DehorningDehorning: benefits both cattle and human : benefits both cattle and human handlershandlers

CastrationCastration: unwanted breeding, reduces male : unwanted breeding, reduces male aggressiveness and produces better quality aggressiveness and produces better quality meatmeat

BrandingBranding: used for identification mainly in the : used for identification mainly in the Western StatesWestern States

BEEF cont.BEEF cont. Another issue is the Feedlot vs Another issue is the Feedlot vs

Pastoral grazing.Pastoral grazing. Carefully managed feed, receive the Carefully managed feed, receive the

best health care, all their needs are best health care, all their needs are met. met.

Dairy Industry IssuesDairy Industry Issues

Pastoral vs ConfinedPastoral vs Confined Animal activists lean towards pastoral Animal activists lean towards pastoral

grazing grazing In Sweden they passed legislation that says In Sweden they passed legislation that says

that grazing is a right.that grazing is a right. Problems with pasturing are:Problems with pasturing are:

short grazing season short grazing season inefficient nutrients required for high milk yield inefficient nutrients required for high milk yield

Tail Docking is an emerging issue Tail Docking is an emerging issue (new Zealand).(new Zealand).

ExampleExample

SheepSheep

a. Castrationa. Castration

b. Ear tagging/markingb. Ear tagging/marking

c. Dockingc. Docking

d. Shearingd. Shearing

POULTRYPOULTRY

1. Confinement production1. Confinement production

a. caged laying hensa. caged laying hens

b. large scale broilerb. large scale broiler

2. Production2. Production

3. Force molting3. Force molting

4. Beak Trimming4. Beak Trimming

SWINESWINE

1. Confinement production1. Confinement productiona. farrowing cratesa. farrowing cratesb. market hog productionb. market hog productionc. gestation stallsc. gestation stalls

2. Management practices2. Management practicesa. ear notchinga. ear notchingb. tail removalb. tail removalc. needle teeth removalc. needle teeth removal

HORSESHORSES1. Confinement1. Confinement

2. PMSG production2. PMSG production(Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin)(Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin)

increases the number of follicles increases the number of follicles developing in the ovary of non-horse speciesdeveloping in the ovary of non-horse species

Used to induce labor in horse and some other Used to induce labor in horse and some other speciesspecies

3. Show strategies3. Show strategies

Groups InvolvedGroups Involved

American Veterinary Medical American Veterinary Medical AssociationAssociation ( (AVMAAVMA) - focus on animal ) - focus on animal welfarewelfare

proper housing, nutrition, humanely proper housing, nutrition, humanely handling and humane deathshandling and humane deaths

Promote point of view:Promote point of view: advocate their policy on Federal legislation advocate their policy on Federal legislation

(they have a Governmental Relations (they have a Governmental Relations Division)Division)

In Process: Amendment to the Humane In Process: Amendment to the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Methods of Slaughter Act.

Groups involved cont.Groups involved cont.

Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) - - animal welfare supporteranimal welfare supporter work to protect endangered species, work to protect endangered species,

improve lives of animals used in improve lives of animals used in experiments and advocate humane farm experiments and advocate humane farm practicespractices

Promote:Promote: established established Animal Welfare ApprovedAnimal Welfare Approved: the : the

program focuses on the animal in food program focuses on the animal in food productionproduction

the standards try to emulate the animals the standards try to emulate the animals natural behaviornatural behavior

ExampleExample Animal Welfare Approved Standards for Animal Welfare Approved Standards for

Beef Cattle and CalvesBeef Cattle and Calves must be allowed to grazemust be allowed to graze room to walk around and lay down on sideroom to walk around and lay down on side

Also promote through their legislative Also promote through their legislative division, Society for Animal Protective division, Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL).Legislation (SAPL). They are dedicated to promoting and They are dedicated to promoting and

protecting animal welfare in local, Federal and protecting animal welfare in local, Federal and International Legislation.International Legislation.

Groups Involved cont.Groups Involved cont.

PETA (People for the Ethical PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)Treatment of Animals) - animal - animal rights supporterrights supporter work to stop animal abusework to stop animal abuse compare animals to human childrencompare animals to human children

Promote: they get involved directlyPromote: they get involved directly consumer boycottsconsumer boycotts recognition internationally due to the media recognition internationally due to the media

and have been able to bring about long term and have been able to bring about long term changeschanges

Groups Involved cont.Groups Involved cont.

Animal Liberation Front (ALF)Animal Liberation Front (ALF) - animal - animal rights advocaterights advocate fighting the injustice which they compare to the fighting the injustice which they compare to the

fight to abolish slaveryfight to abolish slavery consider themselves “the ultimate freedom consider themselves “the ultimate freedom

movement.” movement.”

Promote: through direct actionPromote: through direct action damage and destroy property and equipmentdamage and destroy property and equipment free animals from laboratoriesfree animals from laboratories use arson use arson

Laws and RegulationsLaws and Regulations

The Animal Welfare Act of 1966, 1970.The Animal Welfare Act of 1966, 1970. Defines how animals are used, treated, Defines how animals are used, treated,

housed, transported, processed, etc.housed, transported, processed, etc.

Many different organizations have Many different organizations have established rules and regulations:established rules and regulations:

Professional Rodeo Association - have 60 rules Professional Rodeo Association - have 60 rules and regulations.and regulations.

Humane Slaughter Act 1958Humane Slaughter Act 1958

Humane Methods of Slaughter Act Humane Methods of Slaughter Act 19781978

extended the 1958 policy to all Federally extended the 1958 policy to all Federally inspected slaughter plantsinspected slaughter plants

Food Safety and Inspection Service Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) enforces the Act(FSIS) enforces the Act

veterinarian and inspectors presentveterinarian and inspectors present

Animals used for ResearchAnimals used for Research

Medical ResearchMedical Research Consumer ResearchConsumer Research Agriculture ResearchAgriculture Research Psychological and Social ResearchPsychological and Social Research Environmental ResearchEnvironmental Research

Are there alternatives?Are there alternatives?

Laboratory Animals for ResearchLaboratory Animals for Research 23 million mice are used in research each year (95%)23 million mice are used in research each year (95%) Rats make up the second largest groupRats make up the second largest group Followed by birdsFollowed by birds

Companion AnimalsCompanion Animals

Animal CrueltyAnimal Cruelty NeglectNeglect AbuseAbuse Pet ShopsPet Shops Puppy millsPuppy mills FightingFighting

Tough one…Tough one… It is up to the individual as to how they feel It is up to the individual as to how they feel

personally.personally.

Research the issuesResearch the issues

What are the alternatives?What are the alternatives?

Vegetarian, human research subjects, no Vegetarian, human research subjects, no companion animals?companion animals?

No easy answers!No easy answers!

JournalJournal1.1. What is the difference between Animal Rights and Animal What is the difference between Animal Rights and Animal

Welfare?Welfare?

2.2. What are some of the organizations that promote animal What are some of the organizations that promote animal rights and what is their recurring theme(s)?rights and what is their recurring theme(s)?

3.3. What are some of the organizations that promote animal What are some of the organizations that promote animal welfare and what is their recurring theme(s)?welfare and what is their recurring theme(s)?

4.4. There are a large number of animals utilized for research. There are a large number of animals utilized for research. Do you think this is right ? Are there alternatives, what are Do you think this is right ? Are there alternatives, what are they?they?

5.5. Do you think that people should be allowed to have pets?Do you think that people should be allowed to have pets?

6.6. Should we be concerned about how farm animals are Should we be concerned about how farm animals are treated?treated?

7.7. Where do you stand on this issue and why? (I believe Where do you stand on this issue and why? (I believe that…)that…)