"We better stop, hey, what's that sound/Everybody look what's going down"

For What It's Worth...

One of my favorite songs is Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth."  I am not sure why, but I find the music calming, but at the same time, it makes me reflect on what is really true and important in my life.  For some reason, the lyric, "We better stop, hey what's that sound/Everybody look what's going down" seem to fit the mood of my last wrap-up post.

Although I believe the song was meant to bring both sides together in a sixties' protest, the meaning of this lyric applies to my reason for writing the blog.  Of course, beyond the reason of completing it for my course, I wanted to give people information that would make them stop and evaluate Factory Farming in our country.

Early one cold January afternoon in 2007, I read Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. After I read the chapter on the meat-packing industry, I had an epiphany.  I decided that after what I had read--about cows being slaughtered in inhumane ways and meat cutters forced to work after serious injuries, plus the unsanitary practices of this industry--I would no longer eat red meat.  I have never looked down upon anyone who makes a choice to eat red meat, but I cannot eat red meat after what I know.  What I find surprising is that several years earlier, I had read the classic, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, but I kept on eating red meat.  In addition to reading Fast Food Nation, I would recommend reading The Jungle as well.   My point is that everyone must make choices about what is right in his/her life, but I think that having knowledge is a powerful tool to help one make those choices.

I would also like to note that I realize that people on a budget cannot afford to spend more on organic or cage-free eggs, and I totally understand that as I too have a strict budget. I want to stress that I do not what to impose that everyone should stop eating animal products as this is a highly personal decision. 

So, for what it is worth...take some time to find out how factory farming is affecting the environment and food safety.  Also, take into consideration the treatment of farm animals and farm workers.

I do hope that everyone who took the time to read this blog learned something about Factory Farming.  I have enjoyed writing the blog as well as the reading the comments.

I have compiled a list of websites for you to check out if you found a topic of Factory Farming you would like explore:

Food Safety:

Food Integrity Campaign

Pasteurized Eggs:

Safe Eggs

Animal Welfare:

Ohioans for Humane Farms

Humane Society of United States

Environmental Issues:

Environmental Organizers' Network

Farm Sanctuary

Vegetarian Information:

PCRM Website



This blog is prepared by a paralegal student as a class project, without compensation. The content of this blog contains my opinion, and is offered for personal interest without warranty of any kind. Comments posted by others on this blog are the responsibility of the posters of those messages. The reader is solely responsible for verifying the content of this blog and any linked information. Content, sources, information, and links will most likely change over time. The content of this blog may not be construed as legal, medical, business, or personal advice.

Mixed Topics, Eggcetera

Hello all,

This week, I have a mixed bag of topics regarding Factory Farming.  First, I would like to respond to the question a blogger posed,

 "How does an egg become infected with salmonella?"

I researched this, and here is what I found from Answerbag:

"Bacteria can be on the outside of a shell egg. That's because the egg exits the hen's body through the same passageway as feces is excreted. That's why eggs are washed and sanitized at the processing plant. Bacteria can be inside an uncracked, whole egg. Contamination of eggs may be due to bacteria within the hen's ovary or oviduct before the shell forms around the yolk and white. SE doesn't make the hen sick. It is also possible for eggs to become infected by Salmonella Enteritidis fecal contamination through the pores of the shells after they're laid."

Also, I'd like to note that there was a news article this week in which salmonella had been found at at Ohio egg farm; namely, Ohio Fresh Eggs.  As you may recall, I did a posting on Ohio Fresh Eggs awhile back.  I discovered a particularly disturbing video from Mercy for Animals.

WARNING - THIS VIDEO CONTAINS PARTICULARY DISTURBING IMAGES

Video from Mercy For Animals from Ohio Fresh Eggs

If you can watch this video without any sympathy for these poor de-beaked and diseased hens, I would be surprised.  And, let us not forget, there is a link between the hens in battery cages and the outbreak of salmonella.

Take a look at this article from Mercy for Animals, and you will see that Jack DeCoster, the man responsible for this summer's Iowa Salmonella outbreak is linked to Ohio Fresh Eggs.  "Ohio Fresh Eggs?"--that seems like an oxymoron if there ever was one.

Now, instead of posting the repulsive pictures found in the above video, I'd like you to view a picture of what a free-range chicken farm looks like:

Another topic I'd like to let everyone know about is some legislation that Ohio passed regarding animal treatment.  Here are some of the provisions of the legislation:

A ban on veal crates by 2017, which is the same timing as the ballot measure.


A ban on new gestation crates in the state after Dec. 31, 2010. Existing facilities are grandfathered, but must cease use of these crates within 15 years.


A moratorium on permits for new battery cage confinement facilities for laying hens.


A ban on strangulation of farm animals and mandatory humane euthanasia methods for sick or injured animals.


A ban on the transport of downer cows for slaughter.


Next week, I'll provide a summary of all the Factory-Farm topics I've explored in this blog.

This blog is prepared by a paralegal student as a class project, without compensation. The content of this blog contains my opinion, and is offered for personal interest without warranty of any kind. Comments posted by others on this blog are the responsibility of the posters of those messages. The reader is solely responsible for verifying the content of this blog and any linked information. Content, sources, information, and links will most likely change over time. The content of this blog may not be construed as legal, medical, business, or personal advice.

Whistle While You Work

This week, I'd like to return to the salmonella-tainted egg outbreak.  What really surprised me was the fact that two farm workers had reported, among other things, that eggs were being repackaged at the Iowa farm they worked at, but no one listened.  Take a look at this article from Unbossed.com on how Robert and Deanna Arnold's complaints were ignored.  There is also a good summary from CBS news:Red Flags Went Unheeded.

Why is it that whistle blowers are seldom taken seriously?  I can think of many other instances in which our government had warning of an impending disaster, but did not take the whistle blower seriously.  There were warnings of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac crisis, and some believe 9/11, as well as the unsanitary practices at the Iowa egg farms, but why did we not listen?

While I can't come up with the answer for why the whistle blowers were not heard, I do think that there is a great new site that deals directly with the problem of food safety.  Check out the Food Integrity Campaign Website; it has many links to empower the consumer.

Speaking of empowering the consumer, I'd like to say that although I don't eat eggs, I realize eggs are a great source of cheap protein.  So, I'd like to let everyone know about pasteurized eggs.  Because of the special patented processes, these eggs are safe from salmonella and other harmful bacteria.  Check them out at Safe Eggs.  I know with the holidays coming up, many of us will be baking pumpkin pies.

So, for my question this week, I'd like to know what is it about our society that we ignore what is right under our own noses?  Please comment!

This blog is prepared by a paralegal student as a class project, without compensation. The content of this blog contains my opinion, and is offered for personal interest without warranty of any kind. Comments posted by others on this blog are the responsibility of the posters of those messages. The reader is solely responsible for verifying the content of this blog and any linked information. Content, sources, information, and links will most likely change over time. The content of this blog may not be construed as legal, medical, business, or personal advice

The fruits of their labor: Truly "Grapes of Wrath"

I would like to first start off this post by responding to a comment regarding last week's post.  I am quite sure the poster, Sunny Badger, was only meaning to provoke thought with his comment; anyone can see that the point is not one chicken's waste, but it is the cumulative effect over time that makes a difference. One raindrop is will not create a storm, and one snowflake does not make a blizzard--it is the compound effect of every raindrop and snowflake that create a devastating storm.

Now, for this week's topic, I would like to address the conditions that factory workers are subject to.  I know that some of the more jaded readers will say, "Well, they are uneducated immigrants who may not even be here legally, so what do they expect?"  But let me counter that with the fact that we have an abundance of fruits and vegetables at very reasonable costs due to the hard, back-breaking work of these people.  Does it matter that they are not here legally?  I do not think that anyone deserves the treatment these people receive.

Take a look at this article on how workers are treated in this blog: The Politics of the Plate: The Price of Tomatoes.  I am familiar with the extreme disparity of wealth in this area because my family spent summer vacations on Marco Island, and we would often take the trip across the bridge to the upscale town of Naples.  The elegant mansions--some with a canal and yacht--are in stark contrast to the trailer homes on the outskirts of town.

One agency that is providing help for these workers is the Southern Poverty Law Center.  If you honestly can read the stories of abuse here and not have sympathy for these workers, I will be surprised.

Some of you may think, aren't these workers taking away jobs from Americans?  Well, take a look at this Huffington Post article, Americans Don't Want Farm Work, Despite Economy.

I think we need to ask ourselves, why do we not value those workers who provide the sustenance for our country?   Readers, please let me know your thoughts!

This blog is prepared by a paralegal student as a class project, without compensation. The content of this blog contains my opinion, and is offered for personal interest without warranty of any kind. Comments posted by others on this blog are the responsibility of the posters of those messages. The reader is solely responsible for verifying the content of this blog and any linked information. Content, sources, information, and links will most likely change over time. The content of this blog may not be construed as legal, medical, business, or personal advice

Factory Farming and Pollution Part II - Ohio Egg Farms' Contribution

Last week's blog topic discussed Factory Farming's role in contributing to the pollution of Ohio's waterways.  This week, I will address the specific pollution problems with Ohio's large egg farms.

I was unaware of these interesting facts according to Earthsave International:

• It takes 63 gallons of water to produce one egg.
• One million hen complex produces 125 tons of wet manure a day

I think everyone should take a look at the Environmental Organizers' Network website and check out the facts and pictures of egg farms.  I have one photo that is quite disturbing;




WARNING: THOSE WITH SENSITIVE STOMACHS OR EATING DO NOT LOOK:

One major offender is "Buckeye Egg Farms" which is now dba as "Ohio Fresh Eggs LLC."  Okay, right there the LLC tells you something--for all those paying attention in class, an LLC offers great protection for a business, but not so much for the people who are hurt by its actions.

Buckeye Egg Farms has a long history of pollution problems.  Take a look at this egg farm's history in this fact sheet from the Farm Sanctuary.   It is also interesting to note that the farm also had animal cruelty, food safety, and worker safety violations.

Now we have another large factory egg farm that is almost a sure bet to be approved.  Check out this Columbus Dispatch Article on Hi-Q Eggs.  I don't know about you, but I don't believe it is wise to give a 6-million chicken farm a chance to further pollute Bokes Creek.

As I said before, I don't eat eggs at all.  The site and smell of someone carrying scrambled eggs from the cafeteria makes me nauseous, and although one of my favorite old movies is Cool Hand Luke, I can't stand to watch the egg-eating scene.  I don't eat eggs, but I was repulsed by the pictures of manure at the large egg factories; so I wonder what those of you who do eat eggs feel about these images?  Please post your comments!

This blog is prepared by a paralegal student as a class project, without compensation. The content of this blog contains my opinion, and is offered for personal interest without warranty of any kind. Comments posted by others on this blog are the responsibility of the posters of those messages. The reader is solely responsible for verifying the content of this blog and any linked information. Content, sources, information, and links will most likely change over time. The content of this blog may not be construed as legal, medical, business, or personal advice

Factory Farming and our Waterways: Another Big Mistake for A Lake

This summer the quick demise of Grand Lake St. Mary's was troubling to not only those who use the lake for recreation but for the townsfolk who make a living from the lake's tourism.  It seemed that everyone had a theory on what caused the toxic algae, but no one can dispute that one cause was the farm fertilizer and manure run-off.

The Dayton Daily News' article "Toxic Soup Feeds Blue-Green Algae" (last Monday), explained the reason for the big lake's water woes: "To know the problem of farm runoff polluting Ohio's waterways is to know the fertilizers. In Grand Lake St. Mary's, the sources are nitrogen and phosphorus, which are found in manure and commercial fertilizers used to help grow crops, including corn, soybeans and wheat." For more information, check out the Dayton Daily News Coverage on this issue.  The paper did some great investigative and informative reporting in this series.

Now some of you will wonder, as I did, what about the EPA's role in stemming the flow of farm run-off into our waterways?  Well, as I learned from the article, the problem is that the 1972 Clean Water Act focuses mostly on factory pollution. Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that factories aren't the problem in Mercer County. Compounding the problem is the fact that animal waste is hard to track. 

It is troubling to note that with the increase of factory farms, our watersheds are in peril unless we find a way to curtail the farm run-off.  If you'd like to read more, I suggest you take a look at the Forum National Trust for Historic Preservation's article.

Back in the 70's, I remember my ecology teacher telling the class that his generation had almost killed Lake Erie.  He warned the class that as the future generation (hey, don't laugh, back then we were) we needed to ensure this did not happen in our future.  Well, I hate to say it, but it appears we repeated the same mistake on another lake!

What do you think about this problem? Do you think there is another factor causing the pollution at the lake?  Readers, please post your comments.

This blog is prepared by a paralegal student as a class project, without compensation. The content of this blog contains my opinion, and is offered for personal interest without warranty of any kind. Comments posted by others on this blog are the responsibility of the posters of those messages. The reader is solely responsible for verifying the content of this blog and any linked information. Content, sources, information, and links will most likely change over time. The content of this blog may not be construed as legal, medical, business, or personal advice

Animal Cruelty Down on the Ohio Farm

This week I can't come up with a catchy by-line to the subject of Animal Cruelty because there is just nothing funny about it--period. 

Does anyone remember the pastoral images of Bob Evans' Ohio farm commercials?  Well, today it seems the reality is far from that as per Ohioans for Humane Farms, Ohio is ranked as one of the worst states in providing protection for animals and has historically had some of the weakest animal welfare laws in the nation.

Okay, before you read the next paragraph I will have to issue a WARNING that the next paragraph contains some particularly disturbing descriptions of animal treatment in Ohio.

This excerpt was taken from the Ohioans for Humane Farm's website:

"In Ohio, a factory farmer was videotaped killing sick pigs by hanging them execution-style from a tractor, leaving them to writhe in the air for minutes on end. He was acquitted of cruelty for the hangings, a verdict Ohio’s agribusiness community hailed as a “huge victory,” because Ohio has no law specifically requiring humane farm animal euthanasia method."

I realize that some will people believe that since we are going to kill them anyway, what does it matter how the killing is done?  Well, I have to say there are many people who would be shocked to find how inhumane the killing methods can be.  In Ohio, we argue for humane execution of death-row inmates, so why don't we show that same compassion and respect for an animal that provides sustenance for humans? 

In last week's post, Assault Hen Battery, I provided resources which showed a link between battery cage hens and salmonella outbreaks.  Here is more information on that link from Ohioans for Humane Farm's abstract on The Food Safety Benefits of Ohio's Proposed Farm Animal Welfare Ballot Measure; make sure to go to the heading "Egg borne Salmonella." 

I would like to dedicate this post to my mother, Dorothea C. Salerno.  She has been a dedicated animal rights activist for the last 30 years, and she never let anyone tell a racist joke in her presence. My mother has taught me it is important to stand up for what you believe in no matter what the consequence or no matter how controversial the subject matter may be.

This blog is prepared by a paralegal student as a class project, without compensation. The content of this blog contains my opinion, and is offered for personal interest without warranty of any kind. Comments posted by others on this blog are the responsibility of the posters of those messages. The reader is solely responsible for verifying the content of this blog and any linked information. Content, sources, information, and links will most likely change over time. The content of this blog may not be construed as legal, medical, business, or personal advice.

Assault Hen Battery Cages

Here are some interesting facts from The Center for Food Safety:

The number of Americans sickened from eating Salmonella-tainted eggs every year: More than 650,000

The number of Americans killed from eating Salmonella-tainted eggs every year: 600

The question of whether or not factory farming has contributed to salmonella is not a solid link per se, but most of the factory farms use cage systems which may lead to more salmonella outbreaks. Take a look at the HSUS's President's article on battery cages.

 It is interesting to note that according to The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)’s white paper:

‘Every one of the last ten studies comparing cage to cage-free systems found higher Salmonella rates in cage systems, including a 2010 study that found 20 times greater odds of Salmonella infection in caged flocks.’


If you would like to learn more about the link between cage egg systems and the risk of salmonella, the HSUS article provides a chart to illustrate the link.  Not only is there a link between battery cages and salmonella, but consider how cruel it is to keep a hen in a 67-inch cage (less than a single sheet of letterhead paper) all her life.  I think that we need to realize there is a better alternative--cage free systems.  Although cage free systems are not perfect, they are preferable to battery cages.

If you would like to know more about what torture hens face when they are placed in battery cages, read HSUS' article on battery cages.

I would like to ask this question: If we are (as humans) considered the superior beings, then don't we have a duty to make sure we treat animals in a humane way? 

My next topic will cover animal cruelty in factory farming.

This blog is prepared by a paralegal student as a class project, without compensation. The content of this blog contains my opinion, and is offered for personal interest without warranty of any kind. Comments posted by others on this blog are the responsibility of the posters of those messages. The reader is solely responsible for verifying the content of this blog and any linked information. Content, sources, information, and links will most likely change over time. The content of this blog may not be construed as legal, medical, business, or personal advice

Green Eggs and Salmonella, Anyone?

As a person who does not eat eggs except in baked goods (I will not eat them on a plane, not in the rain or while in Spain…), I was not really affected by the latest egg recall. However, I was still disturbed at the apparent lack of FDA oversight and the sickening images at the Iowa egg farms.

Just in case you may have been under a rock or hiking the Appalachian Trail for the last month, this news report provides a good summary of the egg recall: ABC News Egg Recall. The news clips of dead chickens, maggots and rodents at the Iowa egg farm responsible for one of the largest salmonella outbreaks was enough to make any one question, “Just who is inspecting these farms?” Certainly the FDA has been negligent in enforcing regulation. Jack DeCoster, the man who owned the Iowa farm, had been responsible for a salmonella outbreak in Maine resulting in a ban of his farm’s eggs in that state. Why was he allowed to move to another state where he was given the opportunity to create yet another salmonella outbreak?

Take a look at this article for the lame answers and excuses DeCoster provided during the congressional hearing.

In February 2008, the United Egg Producers sent a letter to the FDA practically begging them to cut egg farm inspections because they believed the relatively low threat of salmonella was not worth spending the FDA’s limited resources. Take a look at the United Egg Producers letter, and you may also conclude this is a case of the proverbial fox asking to watch the hen house.

When anyone is asked the question, “How do you want your eggs?” no matter the preferred method of cooking (sunny-side up, hard-boiled, scrambled or poached), everyone would have the same answer: “Salmonella-free, please.”

Next week, I’ll address the issue of battery cages used in factory farms.

This blog is prepared by a paralegal student as a class project, without compensation. The content of this blog contains my opinion, and is offered for personal interest without warranty of any kind. Comments posted by others on this blog are the responsibility of the posters of those messages. The reader is solely responsible for verifying the content of this blog and any linked information. Content, sources, information, and links will most likely change over time. The content of this blog may not be construed as legal, medical, business, or personal advice.

Introduction to How AgriBusiness is Affecting EVERYONE

Hello!

I am just an ordinary citizen who has an extraordinary concern about how Factory Farms (or as some call it--Agribusiness) are affecting not only the safety of our food supply, but also our environment.  Not only am I concerned about keeping salmonella at bay, but I am also disgusted by the treatment of farm animals in large factory farms.  The purpose of my blog is to provide balanced and fair reporting of the business of factory farming so you, the consumer, can decide just how you want your eggs.

As a child growing up in the late sixties, our eggs were delivered by a local farmer who we referred to as "The Egg Man."  Every Friday he would drive to our suburb in his trusty old station wagon, ask for the used paper cartons, and then refill them with his fresh eggs.  We never had to worry about the safety of those eggs, and we never wondered if he mistreated his animals.  We had every reason to believe our eggs were from a safe and sanitary farm that did not pollute our rivers or streams.

I don't remember when the "Egg Man" stopped delivering eggs, but it was probably about the same time home milk delivery stopped.  I know that we can't return to those days, but I think we need to know more about the farms our eggs, meat and dairy products come from.  I wonder about the FDA, and I question whether it could have done more to ensure our eggs were salmonella-free?

Here is a Chicago Tribune Article on the egg recall.  I am sure that this letter will be thought-provoking!

I plan to explore a new Agribusiness topic each week, and I encourage everyone to post comments to let me know if I my blog is fair and accurate.

This blog is prepared by a paralegal student as a class project, without compensation. The content of this blog contains my opinion, and is offered for personal interest without warranty of any kind. Comments posted by others on this blog are the responsibility of the posters of those messages. The reader is solely responsible for verifying the content of this blog and any linked information. Content, sources, information, and links will most likely change over time. The content of this blog may not be construed as legal, medical, business, or personal advice.