Animals as Food and Clothing

Poultry producers address issues of fowl treatment

In the debate over poultry processing, producers and animal right activists can agree on one thing: Consumers don't want to know the gruesome details.

As millions of Americans sit down for dinner each night, no one wants to think about the waste-filled sheds, crammed cages and electric stun baths that were part of the chicken's life before it became a delicious drumstick, nugget or wing. That's the conclusion the Farm Marketing Institute shared with poultry industry professionals at this week's International Poultry Exposition, which ended Friday at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Animal right activists agree, and that's why People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is publicizing the most common form of chicken slaughter: A stun bath designed to knock the birds out, then the animals' throats are slit and they are dumped into scalding water. PETA says many birds are conscious until the hot water kills them. Chicken industry officials say the method is safe, humane and efficient, and consumers don't want to hear about it. "The message came out clear that the customer said, we trust you as the retailers to make sure that the food you're selling us has been produced under animal welfare guideline," said Jill Hollingsworth, FMI's vice president of animal safety programs, who's working with the industry to draft a set of ethics guidelines.

Animal rights activists say people might stop eating chickens if they knew about the gory process. "As Paul McCartney said, if slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian," said Bruce Friedrich, spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. With worldwide vegetarianism an unlikely ideal, PETA has set its sights on reform. They launched a national boycott of KFC last week, saying the company should make sure its suppliers provide better living conditions for birds. They also want the stun bath method of slaughter done away with, advocating lethal doses of gas instead. Industry officials say that would be too costly. "Chickens should be glad to be chickens," he said. "They're intelligent, interesting animals who have as much rights as a dog or cat to breathe fresh air, form relationships and do the things that animals want to do."

Boca Raton News, January 25, 2003

Animal Farm

In the debate over poultry processing, producers and animal right activists can agree on one thing: Consumers don't want to know the gruesome details.

As millions of Americans sit down for dinner each night, no one wants to think about the waste-filled sheds, crammed cages and electric stun baths that were part of the chicken's life before it became a delicious drumstick, nugget or wing. That's the conclusion the Farm Marketing Institute shared with poultry industry professionals at this week's International Poultry Exposition, which ended Friday at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Animal right activists agree, and that's why People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is publicizing the most common form of chicken slaughter: A stun bath designed to knock the birds out, then the animals' throats are slit and they are dumped into scalding water. PETA says many birds are conscious until the hot water kills them. Chicken industry officials say the method is safe, humane and efficient, and consumers don't want to hear about it. "The message came out clear that the customer said, we trust you as the retailers to make sure that the food you're selling us has been produced under animal welfare guideline," said Jill Hollingsworth, FMI's vice president of animal safety programs, who's working with the industry to draft a set of ethics guidelines.

Animal rights activists say people might stop eating chickens if they knew about the gory process. "As Paul McCartney said, if slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian," said Bruce Friedrich, spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. With worldwide vegetarianism an unlikely ideal, PETA has set its sights on reform. They launched a national boycott of KFC last week, saying the company should make sure its suppliers provide better living conditions for birds. They also want the stun bath method of slaughter done away with, advocating lethal doses of gas instead. Industry officials say that would be too costly. "Chickens should be glad to be chickens," he said. "They're intelligent, interesting animals who have as much rights as a dog or cat to breathe fresh air, form relationships and do the things that animals want to do."

Boca Raton News, January 25, 2003

Seal of approval

Vegetarianism has received a ringing endorsement from two of North America's most prestigious medical associations: the American Dietetic Assocation and Dietitians of Canada. In a joint statement released in June 2003, they say "appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases," including heart disease, diabetes and prostate and colon cancer. Vegetarian and vegan diets "are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence." Welcome aboard!

Vegetarian Times, October, 2003

Quick Facts about Organic

Animal Matters
Boca Raton, FL

info@animalmattersonline.org


Animal Matters is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
All donations are tax deductible.