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Animal Agribusiness. Ethical Considerations. Stakeholders. Environment Humans health communities employees Animals Suppliers. Retail Value. In 2006, the retail value of the US beef industry was $71 billion US broiler was $41 billion US pork was $38 billion
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Animal Agribusiness Ethical Considerations
Stakeholders • Environment • Humans • health • communities • employees • Animals • Suppliers
Retail Value • In 2006, the retail value of the US beef industry was $71 billion • US broiler was $41 billion • US pork was $38 billion • In 2009, the egg industry was valued at $6 billion • Select corporations: Tyson, Smithfield, ConAgra, Contigroup, and Seaboard Corporation.
Water Pollution • Tyson, world’s largest producer of chicken meat, dumped wastewater from its poultry plant in Edalia, Missouri in a tributary of the Lamine River. They paid $7.5 million in fines.
Climate Change • According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, animal agribusiness is responsible for 18%, or nearly one-fifth, of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, more than all the world’s transportation sector. • “Given the amount of energy consumed raising, shipping, and selling livestock, a 16 oz. steak is like a Hummer on a plate.” (Time Magazine 2007)
Communities • Lower property values • Environmental racism • The poorest areas throughout North Carolina have 18 times more hog farms than the wealthiest areas. (Handout, 5) • Residents can suffer from the effects of related air pollution such as skin and eye irritation, coughing, asthma headaches and sleep loss. (Handout, 7)
Human Health • Antibiotic Resistance • 83% of all chicken meat (including organic and antibiotic-free brands) is infected with either campylobacter or salmonella at the time of purchase (Foer, 139). • E. coli • Virus mutations (e.g. avian flu, H1N1).
Employees • 71% of the farmers who work under contract for Tyson (world’s largest chicken producer) earn below poverty-level wages (Handout, 6). • Farmer autonomy? • Pressures to go big
Animals • 10 billion animals per year • In the US, there is no federal law governing the welfare of farmed animals while on farms. Federal protections apply to transportation methods and slaughterhouse practices only (Singer 45).
Broilers • Chickens raised for meat consumption. • Americans eat 150 times as many chickens as we did only 80 years ago. • Genetically designed to grow quickly.
The Killing Floor • Today the killing line for chickens typically moves at 90 birds per minute (Singer 26). • 180 million are improperly slaughtered each year (Foer, 133) • Inspectors have 2 seconds for each bird
Recap • Environmental damage • Sustainable? • Communities • Social justice? • Human health • Long term consequences? • Employees • Welfare and rights? • Animals • Welfare and compassion?
Where to we go from here? • Proposition 2 (2008)
Veganism is a $2.8 billion market • Wide Circle Vegan Investment Fund • http://widecriclefund. com Drivers of future growth: Environment Public health Ethics
Companies that sell vegan products • Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM) • Dean Foods (NYSE: DF) • Kellogg Company (NYSE: K) • Kraft (NYSE: KFT) • The Kroger Company (NYSE: KR) • Tofutti Brands (AMEX: TOF) • Whole Foods Markey, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFMI)
What can we do? • Eat less meat • Impact legislation • Tell others • Go vegetarian/vegan • Support organizations