Is Humane Slaughter Really That Humane?

 Jonathan Foer's Eating Animals illustrates the side of our food industry that we seldom see. He highlights the low points of our food system in a way that is to the point and in your face. while focuseing on the darker aspects of food in america such as hormone enhanced livestock, and the effects of the waste produced by facotry farms, he also invetigates how a "humane" slughterhouse operates.

In the chapter titled "Slices of Paradise/Pieces of S***" Foer visits a humane pork slaughter house to see how they do business. Now Paradise Locker Meats is much more animal friendly than traditional anumal processing plants, however they still admit to over crowding and to using means of knocking out their pigs that work only 80% of the time. A worker states that,"We get em on the first shock I'd think about 80% of the time." (155)

This same slaughter house also said that in a pin designed to hold 50 hogs, "we get 70 or 80 at a time."(161) Foers investigation made me think about how all animals are treated not just ones who's destiny is to feed a family of four. Our Humane facilities are a better option but hey are few and far between, and for those who are radically pro-animal rights do not offer a perfect solution to today's slaughter house issues.

-Robbie

Organic Consumers Association

The Organic Consumers Association was formed in 1998 and campaigns for health, justice, and sustainability on behalf of the millions of organic consumers. Their main political program, the Organic Agenda, contains six points addressing the changes that need to take place in the food industry, with the fourth stating they would like to see "a phase-out of the most dangerous industrial agriculture and factory farming practices."

Here's the bad news about factory farming:

1. Each full-grown chicken in a factory farm has as little as six-tenths of a square foot of space. Because of the crowding, they often become aggressive and sometimes eat each other. This has lead to the painful practice of debeaking the birds.
2. Hogs become aggressive in tight spaces and often bite each other's tails, which has caused many farmers to cut the tails off.
3. Concrete or slatted floors allow for easy removal of manure, but because they are unnatural surfaces for pigs, the animals often suffer skeletal deformities.
4. Ammonia and other gases from manure irritate animals' lungs, to the point where over 80% of US pigs have pneumonia upon slaughter.
5. Due to genetic manipulation, 90% of broiler chickens have trouble walking.

A great way to get swine flu!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arbaks/3486354284/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Also, as you probably know, the swine flu started at a hog farm in North Carolina because of the awful conditions of factory farming. It quickly spread across the world, leaving behind numerous health risks. However, what you may not know, is that the vaccines treating the H1N1 virus actually may contribute to the already present safety concerns of the illness:

1. A leaked memo revealed that the swine flu vaccine has been linked to paralysis.
2. The fast-tracked vaccine contains novel adjuvants, including dangerous qualene which is linked to Gulf War syndrome.

To learn more about the swine flu and other issues concerning the welfare of animals and humans visit this website. The OCA also provides information in areas such as organics, agriculture and climate, genetic engineering, food safety, fair trade/social justice, and politics and democracy. Take action, find organics, and donate today at www.organicconsumers.org!

-Jennifer Rochefort

Waka Flocka for PETA

As ridiculous and absurd young rap star Waka Flocka may seem, I found some very interesting information regarding him and animal rights.  As a child, Flocka had many animals: dogs, cats, and even iguanas.  Due to his passion for animals, he took a strong stand for animal rights.  He admits that after watching graphic videos of animals being tortured that it has changed the way he eats.  He also is completely against genetically engineering.  He views it as changing the way an animal truly should be.  He can relate to this way due to his status as musician.  No one should be forced to be who their not.

I was going to post the YouTube video on this blog, however he does say a "bad word" or two.  If you want to learn more about Flocka's controversial stance on this issue, search "Waka Flocka for Peta" on YouTube.  Here is an article now explaining further Flocka's feelings.

http://www.ballerstatus.com/2011/02/08/waka-flocka-flame-signs-on-for-peta-campaign/

- Payton Collier

World famous

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank our international viewers from: Iran, Canada, Indonesia, and Australia!

-Robbie

Animals and Music

                                                 http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3353936487/in/photostream/

Yesterday I posted a video that depicted a dog in Japan who refused to leave his companion behind in the aftermath of the Tsunami. The dog was obviously very stressed, as well as sad and concerned for his "friend". This got me thinking: What other seemingly human occurrences/things effect animal emotions in profound ways? Music immediately came to mind. One may argue that only humans can experience and truly appreciate the wonders of music, but certain studies say otherwise. At least as far back as the 1909 appearance of "Effects of Music Upon Animals of the Zoo" in The New York Times, it has been found that different types of music appear to have the same unique effect on certain animals. For example, when upbeat music is played animals become noticeably delighted and become more social, while heavy metal causes agitation and aggression. Similar findings are already in use at various businesses in which animals are present. For example, the Arizona Animal Welfare League plays classical music in all of its pounds because classical has been found to have a calming influence over animals in captivity. Maybe something to think about the next time you play the radio near your pets? And although my last two posts may seem like fluff pieces, the next one is going to be a knockout.

-Zach


Sources: 1, 2

Even More Chickens?

So, as it turns out, my father is now housing six new "chicks" in his tool building in our backyard.  Yes.  Six.  This makes a total of eight chickens living within the confines of the Collier property.  I am now witnessing how adorable the animals actually are, and the thought of hurting these creatures is painful in itself.  Watching the videos and seeing the chickens being abused is one thing, but seeing the chickens first hand really can make a difference.  How someone could kill them almost unconsciously is beyond me.

I realize this probably makes my family seem a bit strange.  Watch for us on the next episode of "Animal Hoarding" on Animal Planet.

Pictures coming soon.

- Payton Collier

"Pronounced like the Middle Eastern bread..."

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is one of the most prominent, as well as extreme,  organizations working for animal welfare. According to Jonathan Safran Foer in his book Eating Animals, "PETA will do almost anything legal to advance their campaigns, no matter how bad they look (which is impressive) and no matter who is insulted (which is not so impressive)" (Page 71). Although PETA can be completely ridiculous and outrageous, they somewhat have the right idea in mind: animal welfare.

In his book Eating Animals, Foer looks into many major issues with food, including the issue on animal rights, hence his section on PETA. I found the chapter on word meanings particularly interesting. In this chapter, Foer presents some interesting questions:

Why are some animals food while others are not?

Are those who take into account the welfare of animals on farms realists or sentimentalists?

and most importantly... What is suffering?

The book offers many value facts that every person needs to know about the food they consume every day in a way that makes the reader want to learn more. It is clearly an essential read for anyone looking for the facts behind their food.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knut_IMG_8095.jpg

Knut, a polar bear in the Berlin Zoo, was mentioned in Eating Animals. 

Knut's arrival to the zoo was celebrated extensively, but what made Knut more

important than the hot dogs being sold at a stand nearby?

Kelly