hi cindy,
thanks for your quick response . . .
for the benefit of any others on the list who want to know, i have copied
the entirety of ms. barnato's testimony immediately below my signature . . .
she spoke on two separate occasions . . .
while i very much appreciate your forwarding the transcript, i don't see it
as answering my question . . . my quibble is the following . . . in her
testimony, ms. barnato refers to "scientifically linked" . . . "research
concludes" . . . "group has concluded" . . . "veterinarians agree" . . .
none of these references provide the reader with evidence, or tell the
reader where to find evidence, that the incidence or prevalence of
salmonella is higher on large scale poultry farms than on small scale
poultry farms . . . that was the claim in the earlier email, and that was
the point of my question . . .
nevertheless, thanks again . . .
cheers,
craig
craig k harris
department of sociology
michigan agricultural experiment station
national food safety and toxicology center
institute for food and agricultural standards
food safety policy center
michigan state university
http://www.msu.edu/~harrisc/
MS. BARNATO: Hello. My name is Terri Barnato. I'm with the Association of
Veterinarians for Animal Rights. We're a national organization of
veterinarians, veterinary students, and technicians.
I think that you've consistently overlooked the husbandry practices that are
used in the egg-laying industry, specifically forced molting, which is
scientifically linked to the increase in production of Salmonella
enteritidis in egg-laying birds. For those in the audience who don't know
what this practice is, it involves withholding all food from birds used in
egg-laying production for an average of one to two weeks, typically ten to
fourteen days, to manipulate egg production so that the egg-producing
industry can benefit economically.
The USDA's own research concludes that this practice is a contributing
factor to Salmonella enteritidis increase in egg production. Also, that the
Farm Animal Wellbeing task force group has concluded that human illness
would be reduced by 2.1 percent if forced molting were eliminated.
It's an extremely cruel practice. It can't be allowed in this country. It's
been outlawed in Europe, the United Kingdom. They don't do it in Canada. And
the egg industry should be ashamed of allowing it to continue here in this
country, and it's been occurring for over 30 years.
Terri Barnato, with the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights.
I have petitions in my office signed by 2,000 veterinarians from around the
country that we've recently gotten, in the last two months. These
veterinarians agree with us that withholding food from these birds for an
extended period of time during the forced molting process is inappropriate,
especially when it isn't medically indicated for the birds.
They also agree with us that withholding food creates stress and
immunosuppression in these birds, and that they are lacking in nutrition,
and that this is a significant factor in the creation of Salmonella
enteritidis in these birds.
And your suggestion for more research in this area just appears to me to be
foot-dragging. You know, there has to be some consideration here for the
wellbeing of these animals, and to date we -- we've submitted a petition to
the USDA and the Food and Drug Administration more than two years ago on
this issue. You've received hundreds of comments from the public, not people
who have a vested interest in egg production, who want you to consider the
wellbeing of these animals. And your silence is deafening.
We have a bill pending here in California to address this matter. You will
see legislation in other states if the federal agencies don't want to deal
with this, and the egg production industry, you can be assured of negative
publicity that you deserve.
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From: Michigan organic growers seeking and offering information and ideas
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dutcher Farms
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 10:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FDA/USDA: Transcript of EGG SAFETY PUBLIC MEETING - April 6, 2000,
Sacramento, CA
Hi Craig,
This is a long read, but if you go down to the testimony of Ms Terri
Barnato, that is where the discussion of salmonella infection caused by the
forced moult in industrial eggs begins. I am sure there is much more out
there in regards to being sure hens are fed well and allowed access to
sunshine (important for a source of vitamin D), a diverse omnivores diet,
and the earth. Also, if you can take the time to read the whole thing, you
will also gain a new understanding of the pressures put on our regulators by
the "industry" to eliminate the exemption allowed for small producers(less
than 3000 laying hens) selling eggs of their own production directly to the
end user.
Cindy Dutcher
http://www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/egg0400.html If you would like to access a
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