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Dear Friends,
Welcome to the October 2008 edition of FACT
SHEETS. With the summer months behind us, FACT
is involved in a busy fall working on issues related to
making farms humane and healthy places for animals.
Last week Oprah Winfrey exposed the ugly reality
of factory farming hosting an episode titled "How We
Treat the Animals We Eat." Among the guests were
HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle and a number of industrial
livestock producers and smaller-scale "free-range"
farmers. The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act,
also referred to as "Prop 2", was discussed. Prop 2 is
initiative that will appear on the ballot in California
during the November 2008 election. If passed, it will
end the practice of cramming farm animals into cages
so small the animals can't even turn around, lie down
or extend their limbs. FACT has endorsed Prop 2 and
believes that it is a modest measure that would go a
long way to improve the welfare of farm animals.
A few weeks ago, I addressed a symposium at the
USDA on the future of animal agriculture. I was asked
to talk about antibiotic use and I spoke about the
needless use of antibiotics particularly with pigs and
chickens, where important drugs are used simply to
make the animals grow faster. My panel also included
a speaker who championed the interests of the
pharmaceutical companies as well as a
representative for an association of swine
veterinarians. While drug companies and the animal
industry may resist, I do believe that because of the
rising consumer demand for change, combined with
the effective efforts carried out by groups such as
FACT, humane treatment for farm animals is in our
future, and not that far away.
As always, please visit our website for
more information. Our secure Donate page makes it easier than ever to
give to FACT. Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Richard Wood
Executive Director
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USDA to revamp its process for reviewing animal production claims
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On October 14, Larissa McKenna, FACT's Associate
Director, attended and presented comments at a public meeting
organized by the USDA to reassess the agency's
labeling efforts. The USDA is in charge of regulating
many of the animal production claims found on food
packages (examples include Certified Organic and
Grass Fed). Responsibility for defining, approving and
enforcing these standards is shared by several
different divisions within the agency. FACT urged the
USDA to develop a transparent and consistent
process for defining production claim standards and
evaluating applications for use of each claim.
Currently the process is unclear and inconsistent.
Larissa also called on the agency to reassess and
strengthen its proposed standard for Naturally
Raised.
The proposed standard only restricts the use of
antibiotics, hormones and animal by-products in feed.
Food labeled as Naturally Raised should also require
that an animal be allowed to express its natural
behaviors and preclude the use of intensive
confinement production practices. It is important that
the USDA carefully consider all the issues relevant to
how a consumer or sustainable producer would
realistically perceive natural animal production.
Please read FACT's comments on the
Naturally Raised label for further information!
For many years FACT has been involved in labeling
discussions with the USDA and other stakeholder
groups. We firmly believe that clear and meaningful
production claims are important tools for both
consumers and farmers. As the agency moves
towards developing a new way of regulating animal
production claims, FACT will be there every step of the
way.
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The Scenic Drive: FACT reaches out to local rural community
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On October 4th and 5th, FACT connected with
consumers in rural Illinois during the Knox County
Scenic Drive at Walnut Grove
Farm. This was the first
time FACT participated in The Drive and staff
members spent time educating consumers on how
we can all help make farms humane and healthy
places to raise food animals. FACT staff distributed
information on the issues we address and one lucky
participant won a $25 gift coupon to a local farm, Ruhl's Ranch,
which raises all their animals without the use of
hormones or antibiotics. By the end of the weekend,
FACT not only raised awareness about the struggles
faced by farm animals but also educated consumers
about healthy and humane food choices. Thank you to
all who made the event a success!
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FACT announces holiday card contest winner
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FACT received several wonderful entries for our first
ever holiday card contest. We are pleased to
announce the winner: Ms. Angela Holden from
Hopewell Junction, NY. We are honored to display the
artwork designed by Ms. Holden on our 2008 holiday
cards. Thank you to all of our donors who submitted
artwork. FACT recognizes and appreciates your
commitment to making farms humane and healthy
places for animals.
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