Scientists say there is no welfare advantage to controlled-atmosphere stunning
A statement from the two groups reads in part, “Physiologic evaluation has failed to demonstrate any welfare advantage of any CAS system over other accepted poultry electrical stunning methods in the
The alternative CAS systems, while viable, do not offer any known animal welfare advantages and may in fact be associated with poultry excitation and injury prior to loss of consciousness. However, in the case of extremely large poultry, the CAS systems can offer some human ergonomic advantages for processing plant employees.”
The AAAP and ACPV’s current position on the topic is that electrical stunning and CAS are both viable and acceptable systems for humane stunning of poultry, and they recommend further research on stunning physiology and the refinement of humane stunning applications.
According to the National Chicken Council, about 1 in 5 poultry plants in
This morning, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals announced it would use a “McCruelty” campaign against McDonalds in order to pressure the company into insisting its chicken suppliers use CAS systems. PETA has used similar campaigns against KFC in the past.
The Chicaho Tribune reports that McDonald’s has studied the chicken issue extensively, and has conducted its own tests on the gas method of slaughter, said Bob Langert, McDonald’s vice president of corporate social responsibility. "It's not conclusive that it's more humane."
Sources: National Chicken Council,
Dairy cows more valuable for slaughter than for milk
Milk prices have dropped so low that farmers who can no longer afford to feed the animals are selling parts of their herds for slaughter. A “perfect storm” of domestic and global economic conditions -- rising feed prices, consumers are eating out less, the global recession has cut into sales of U.S. butter and cheese exports -- has hurt the industry.
“This could destroy our dairy infrastructure,” said Mike Marsh, CEO of United Western Dairymen, according to the Associated Press. As of February 2, the price farmers receive for a gallon of milk has been 80 cents a gallon, less than half the $1.65 a gallon the California Department of Food and Agriculture estimates it costs to produce.
Approximately 262,500 dairy cows were slaughtered in January 2008, up more than 43,000 from January, 2008. Since September, federal livestock reports show that dairy cow slaughter is up 30 percent, while beef cow slaughter is down 14 percent.
Industry officials predicted that 1.5 million of the country’s 9.3 million milking cows could be slaughtered unless the markets can be bolstered. “We need to get supply and demand into alignment as quickly as possible so this economic trainwreck isn’t strung out,” Marsh said.
Source: Associated Press
Kahiki Foods introduces Asian chicken flavors
Hill Meat Co. wins recycler award
Source: East Oregonian, Hill Meat Co.