Download - Ethics in Animal Ag
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
1/21
Ethical Issues in Animal
Agriculture
A Welfare Perspective
Krista Nelson
October 27, 2004
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
2/21
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)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
3/21
Why do we care?
Legislation
Urbanization
Philosophers
MediaDisney Effect
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
4/21
The Issues
Biological Functioning
Affective States
Natural Lives
Interlinked? The pig example
(Benson, 2004)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
5/21
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)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
6/21
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)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
7/21
Welfare in Beef Cattle Production
Branding: hot iron, freeze, micro-chip
Dehorning: genetics vs. mechanics
Castration: Is it necessary?
(Benson, Rollin, 2004)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
8/21
Branding and Dehorning
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
9/21
Welfare in Dairy Cattle Production
Housing: slope of surfaces, beddingmaterial, stall dimensions
Tail Docking: necessary?
Calf Rearing: weaning, housing
(Benson, Rollin, 2004)
High Productivity: hunger, metabolic
and physical exhaustion
(Webster, 1995)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
10/21
Dairy Facilities
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
11/21
Veal Calves
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
12/21
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
(Benson, Rollin, 2004)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
13/21
Gestation Crates
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
14/21
Farrowing Crate
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
15/21
Welfare in Poultry Production
Laying Hens: Beak trimming,crowding, dust bathing, forced
molting, social disorder
Broilers: Fast growth
(Benson, Rollin, 2004)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
16/21
Layers and Broilers
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
17/21
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)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
18/21
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)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
19/21
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)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
20/21
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)
-
8/11/2019 Ethics in Animal Ag
21/21
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.