ethics in animal ag

8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag

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Ethical Issues in Animal

Agriculture

A Welfare Perspective

Krista Nelson

October 27, 2004


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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 havethe same rights to life and

liberty as afforded to humans

(Getz and Baker, 1990)


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Why do we care?

Legislation

Urbanization

Philosophers

MediaDisney Effect


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The Issues

Biological Functioning

Affective States

Natural Lives

Interlinked? The pig example

(Benson, 2004)


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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 distressDeveloped from the Farm Animal

Welfare Council(Spedding, 2000)


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Are current farm animal

production systems ethical?

Considerations:

Animal welfare

Is the animal harmed?

Are the animals needs met?

Human obligations

Are the animals being used

responsibly?

What is the impact on the

environment?

(Croney, 2004)


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Welfare in Beef Cattle Production

Branding: hot iron, freeze, micro-chip

Dehorning: genetics vs. mechanics

Castration: Is it necessary?

(Benson, Rollin, 2004)


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Branding and Dehorning


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Welfare in Dairy Cattle Production

Housing: slope of surfaces, beddingmaterial, stall dimensions

Tail Docking: necessary?

Calf Rearing: weaning, housing


High Productivity: hunger, metabolic

and physical exhaustion

(Webster, 1995)


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Dairy Facilities


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Veal Calves


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Welfare in Swine Production

Gestation Crates: 2 X 7 ft.

Computerized feeding systems

Floor Feeding

Farrowing Crates: Decreased nesting

behavior

Piglets: Tail docking, castration, earlyweaning



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Gestation Crates


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Farrowing Crate


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Welfare in Poultry Production

Laying Hens: Beak trimming,crowding, dust bathing, forced

molting, social disorder

Broilers: Fast growth



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Layers and Broilers


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Why do we have questionable

production practices?

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

Efficiency: Labor, distribution, price

Animal protection and care: From

predators, environmentalextremes, veterinary care,

nutrition

(Croney, 2004)


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Animal Welfare Reform Efforts

2001: OR ballot measure 179proposed making it a class A

misdemeanor to confine farm pigs in

enclosure or tether them in a mannerthat prevents them from turning

around

Aimed to ban gestation crates(excluded confinement for exam,

testing & farrowing)

(Croney, 2004)


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Animal Welfare Reform Efforts

Animal Welfare Guidelines adopted by:McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys,

Pizza Hut

June 2002: FMI and the National Council

of Chain Restaurants released guidelines

for treatment and handling of animals

used for food (FMI & NCCR membersinclude Safeway, Walmart, Krogers

Albertsons, Applebees)

(Croney, 2004)


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What can you do?

Education: know what you are supporting

with your purchasing powerE.g., organic cruelty free

Vote with your pocketbook

Key to change is not to stop buyinganimal products, but to buy productsthat support animal welfare

Niche markets cruelty free, animalfriendly labels

Support reasonable legislative efforts

(Croney, 2004)


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References

Benson, G.J., and B.E. Rollin. 2004. The Well-being of farmanimals 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.

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