docAnimal Welfare by Dr. Karen Christensen, OK Farms
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Animal Welfare by Dr. Karen Christensen, OK Farms
Current Topics in Animal Welfare The Poultry Federation Symposium April 24, 2013 Karen Christensen PhD OK Foods, Inc. Fort Smith, AR The Problem is Obvious! Where does this all start? HSUS – Humane Society of the United States One in 28 people belong to HSUS 11 Million members across the country Let’s see what you know… “Considering the foregoing abuses of animals, degradation of the environment, and detriment to human health, The HSUS promotes eating with conscience and embracing the Three Rs — Reducing the consumption of meat and other animal-based foods; Refining the diet by eating products only from animals who have been raised, transported, and slaughtered in a system of humane, sustainable agriculture that does not abuse the animals; and Replacing meat and other animal-based foods in the diet with plant-based foods.” HSUS Let’s see what you know… “Take a stand against cruelty to animals: By switching to a vegetarian diet, you will save more than 100 animals a year.” PETA Let’s see what you know… Who is involved? There is a long list of people you know of… Bob Barker Pamela Anderson Carrie Underwood Willie Nelson Bea Arthur Robert Redford Mary Tyler Moore Betty White Alec Baldwin Pierce Brosnan Martin Sheen Casey Casem Jamie Lee Curtis Woody Harrelson James Taylor What can we do? Bus Shelters in Washington D.C. Humanewatch.org What Can We Do?… Continue to educate non-farm folks on what you do and how well you do it! Customers will insist on more and more detailed audits Poultry is well ahead of other species What Can We Do?… Think about what you do and how it looks to someone outside of the industry…. Will they be Shocked? Surprised? Impressed? What kind of an image do you paint as animal producer? Do we have the right to use animals for food? What responsibilities come with that right? What Can We Do?… Meatingplace: I was thinking more about specifics, for example, what kinds of prods they were using. If they were using vibrating prods versus electric prods. CONOVER: Well, I didn’t ask him about the prods. This cattle prod was electric and it made a noise when they used it and that’s what I described. I didn’t describe the difference in prods. What Can We Do?… And Temple Grandin’s vaunted curving ramps, which cattle ascend in the minutes before they die, may make them feel a bit less good than advertised.” In the Harper’s article, he calls the chute “Temple Grandin’s doomsday ramp.” He does not describe any cattle bellowing in that plant. No mooing. The stunning was working perfectly the way he described it. It also described cattle looking around. Scared cattle don’t look around,” Grandin said. What Can We Do?… Audits are the Bridge between producers and customers and consumers What Can We Do?… Company Welfare Program Comprehensive Starts at the Top! “Corporate Culture” Program must be part of every day Training and Review What Can We Do?… In the Beginning… Auditors were not readily available Multiple Audit Instruments are Difficult! Standardize Audits Where do we go from here? Work to accept a single standard for audits Meet Stringent Standards! This industry has always met challenges! Standards must be science-based! PAACO Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization. www.Animalauditor.org Mission Statement: The Purpose of this organization is to promote the humane treatment of animals through education and certification of animal auditors and to promote the profession of animal auditors. PAACO Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization Certified by: FASS ARPAS AABP AASV AAAP PAACO Trained professionals in their discipline Qualified by education and experience Certified education, experience and training in audit process and minimum standards Recourse for inappropriate behavior The only auditors in your facilities! Training June 4 – 6 U of Ark Audit Points Evaluating Litter Moisture > 35% < 35% Broiler Audit 0 = No lesion 1 = < pencil eraser 2 = > pencil eraser 0 1 2 Broiler Audit 0 Ammonia Levels below 25 ppm 1 2 Broiler Audit 0 Gait Scoring 1 2 Broiler Audit Euthanasia and Culling Cervical dislocation is approved method for Euthanasia Broiler Audit •Welfare is the ‘right thing to do’! •Our customers must trust that we treat our birds right! •Be recognized for the great job you do! Questions?
