Test 4 prep

chapter 28

Animal Welfare and Animal Rights (Ch. 28) KEY

  1. What is the basis for the general concern relating to animal welfare and animal rights?

Animal Welfare is the overall well-being of animals and their ability to live and survive in the conditions/environment they are in. It consists of animals' mental and physical well-being, ensuring they are not suffering from hunger, thirst, discomfort, or pain due to an injury or illness. Advocates believe that all animals should be treated humanely, and some concerns include the habitat they live in, with concerns about having a healthy, comfortable, and safe environment. Other concerns are their ability to express their natural animal behaviors freely, their nutrition, and their treatment of animals. Animal Rights consist of their freedom to live as they please, without human interference, and protect them from being used in medical research, hunting, and other “entertainment.” A concern with animal rights is the loss of income many businesses would suffer because animals can account for a large portion of the company. Animals are used for many purposes, such as research, which could affect how we test and receive information.

  1. Compare and contrast animal welfare issues and animal rights issues. In your opinion, are animal rights and animal welfare different issues or the same issues?

The animal welfarist is concerned with animals' treatment and well-being while animals provide for us. The basis of this position is that using animals obligates people to practice good husbandry practices (humane use). In agriculture, providing for animal welfare determines whether or not animal production systems make money.

Animal rightists are concerned with the philosophy, sociology, and public policy as applied to the standing of animals in human society. Extreme animal rightists assign rights to animals that are usually only for people and believe animals should not be used by humans for any purpose (including keeping them as pets).

  1. What are the major pieces of legislation that have been passed in the US regarding animal welfare and animal rights?

The Federal Humane Slaughter Act of 1958 (amended in 1978)

The Horse Protection Act of 1970

The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972

The Animal Welfare Act with amendments in 1970, 1976, 1985, and 1990

The Food Security Act of 1985

The Health Professions Educational Assistance Amendments of 1985

The Health Research Extension Act of 1985

The Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (OPRR-NIH) 1971

The Animal Facilities Protection Act of 1992

Good Laboratory Practice Standards

State and Local Laws

  1. Describe the major philosophical differences among various groups that have an interest in animal welfare and animal rights.

The most extreme animal rightists believe animals have a right not to be used for any purpose by humans. Moderate animal rightists support animal use if it benefits humans and animals. The anti-use animal rights philosophy leaves no room for compromise. Pro-use animal rights philosophy can change as the expectations of society and science change.

  1. Detail the “Five Freedoms” of animal well-being.

Freedom from hunger and thirst

Freedom from discomfort

Freedom from pain, injury, or disease

Freedom to express normal behavior

Freedom from fear and distress

  1. According to the PowerPoint lecture, what is the difference in a reformist and an abolitionist?

Abolitionists are animal rights proponents who advocate the total abandonment of animal use. Some abolitionists have resorted to violence, vandalism, and theft tactics to advance their agenda.

Reformists are animal rights proponents who focus on changing methods of animal use. In general, they work within the system to achieve their goals.

  1. In the Western world pro-animal use is based on Judeo Christian philosophy.

The justification for animal use is tied to the Old Testament concept of humans’ dominion over animals.

  1. What are the three Rs of animal research?

Replacement – substitute something else for higher animals

Reduction – reduce the number of animals needed

Refinement – decrease inhumane procedures

  1. What is anthropomorphism? How does anthropomorphism relate to animal welfare and animal rights?

Anthropomorphism attributes human thoughts, emotions, and characteristics to animals, gods, objects, etc. It is hard for people with this view to be objective and critically impartial regarding animal welfare and rights issues.

  1. What is the AWIC? What types of information does it provide?

The Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) is an information service established at the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, Maryland, resulting from the 1986 amendments to the Animal Welfare Act. It is the most critical resource on this topic in the United States.

  1. What has contributed to the change in attitudes about animal use in the past few years?

The change in attitudes about animal use has changed because the general population does not have

the same contact with animals as farmers/ranchers had in previous generations. Popular culture icons have led many to a highly anthropomorphic view of animals (ex: Disney movies). Most people do not understand that they are living longer because of research done on animals.

  1. What are some problems determining practices that promote livestock welfare?

Defining and measuring the psychological well-being of animals. Good production does not prevent animals from being subject to distress.

  1. Why is philosopher Jeremy Bentham (1789) credited with originating the animal rights movement? (This is not in the lecture – use your researching skills to tackle this question.)

Jeremy Bentham established the idea that animals have the ability to suffer, and that entitles them to legal rights. Bentham was the first Western philosopher to grant animals equal consideration from within a comprehensive, non-religious moral theory, and he was a staunch defender of animal welfare laws. But as a utilitarian he also approved of killing and using animals, as long as pointless cruelty could be avoided.

  1. In 1873 the first federal law was enacted to prevent animal cruelty in the US.
  2. What US law applies to animal fighting?

The Animal Welfare Act and its amendments prohibits certain forms of animal fighting

  1. How does cloning relate to animal welfare and animal rights?

There have been concerns raised for the well-being of both the cloned animal and the surrogate mother of the clone. Cloned offspring grow abnormally large while in the womb, causing frequent abortions and birth failures. About a quarter of surrogate mothers die during birth. Cloned animals frequently die shortly after birth, and even if they manage to make it past birth, they are plagued with health problems that result in short lifespans. For example, Dolly died at age 6 from a lung disease.

  1. Do you think a predatory animal species should have rights? (This is an opinion question but you should be able to explain reasons for your opinion.)

Yes, because predatory animal species keep other species in check for example, without wolves or coyotes, the deer population would multiply at alarming rates, there needs to be a balance.

  1. Should hunters and trappers be allowed to use public land for their activities? Explain your answer. (This is an opinion question but you should be able to explain reasons for your opinion.)

Absolutely not, the keyword is PUBLIC meaning other people that are not hunters and may have small children may stumble upon something they probably shouldn't see.

  1. It’s estimated that animal research has added 25 to 30 years to the average American lifespan since 1900. Do you think the end has justified the means? (This is an opinion question, but you should be able to explain reasons for your opinion.)

Yes and no, because most animal testing is inhumane and should not be legal but some of that testing has had useful and reliable outcomes.

  1. What is speciesism and how does it relate to animal welfare and/or animal rights?

Speciesism is placing the interests of one species above that of another species. For example, even though people know that dogs and pigs are about equal in intelligence and possess the same ability to suffer, people are still much more likely to help dogs than pigs. Abolitionist groups also use speciesism to describe what they view as mankind’s unconscionable arrogance against other species.

chapter 29

Animals in Sustainable Agriculture (Ch. 29) KEY

  1. What is sustainable agriculture?

Agriculture that meets the needs of the present generation without jeopardizing the ability of further generations to meet their own needs and without limiting their choices.

May be known as “organic farming” but food certified as organic must originate from farms certified by a state or private entity accredited by the USDA.

  1. Outline sustainable practices.

Rotating crops to reduce weeds, disease, and insect pests.

Using intensive grazing and rotation systems for pasture and range management.

Using integrated pest management to reduce pests and lessen pesticide use.

Increasing mechanical/biological weed control, more soil and water conservation practices, and using animal and green manures to replace and augment chemical fertilizers.

Using swine to scavenge behind ruminants.

Using ruminants to manage small grain crops through the winter, and to eat food processing wastes

Using mixed ruminant species to graze stockpiled forages and wild growth after the plant-growing season in dry areas.

Use ducks and geese to eat grass between crop rows, and flocks of chickens to create an insect buffer zone around plantings.

Using riparian buffer strips to protect water quality and to provide habitat for wildlife and beneficial insects.

  1. Explain the “systems philosophy” of sustainable agriculture.

The system is envisioned in its broadest sense, from the individual farm to the local ecosystem and communities affected by this farming system both locally and globally. An emphasis on the system allows a larger and more thorough view of the consequences of farming practices on both human communities and the environment.

  1. What is the role of animals in sustainable agricultural systems?

In a sustainable agricultural system, animals convert natural resources, such as plants and feed, into energy for production. Body wastes from animals contain virtually all the nutrients plants need to grow. They maintain the environment and plant life, and with plants, they cycle carbon, nitrogen, and minerals to regulate our climate. Plants give animals natural food, and livestock production is more environmentally friendly. Other benefits include adding value to crops, serving as a buffer against market fluctuations, providing food storage, creating year-round employment, increasing the number of products from the production unit, capital storage, providing capital for purchases, and using lands not fit for cropping.

  1. Compare and contrast monoculture systems and diversified systems.

Monoculture systems produce only one crop or livestock species, while diversified systems produce several crops and livestock species. Diversified systems are less vulnerable to low prices and shortages because there is a backup, and producers can generally market their multiple products at different times. Their goal is less about producing the most of a particular crop and more about producing a variety. Monoculture systems are vulnerable to low prices because they depend on one crop or livestock species. Their goal is to produce as much of a specific crop as possible.

  1. Detail areas of concern for making livestock systems more sustainable.

Some areas of concern for making livestock systems more sustainable are:

A. Concentrated livestock systems also concentrate wastes – recycling these wastes is a pressing need.

B. Using grazing animals correctly will increase soil quality, reduce erosion, and reduce water runoff.

C. Intensive grazing of forage resources with substantial rest between grazing cycles would improve the sustainability of grazing lands and productivity.

  1. How does today’s lifestyle fit into the role of sustainable agriculture?

Today’s lifestyle fits into the role of sustainable agriculture because it enhances the environment and natural resources, it creates a healthier market because consumers pay a premium for products perceived as fresher, and consumers value knowing who grew their food and how it was grown.

  1. What three items could be referred to as the triple bottom line of sustainable agriculture?

Ecological soundness, economic viability, and social responsibility

  1. What are the external and social costs that the sustainable agriculture movement believes outweighs the benefits of modern agriculture?

Vertically integrated corporations exploit animals, communities, and people. They contribute to the loss of livestock diversity while taking advantage of depressed communities.

External costs to natural resources:

Soil damage from erosion, topsoil depletion, and contamination.

Loss of soil health

Habitat loss and loss of species

Groundwater depletion

Damage from animal waste

Social costs:

A. The decline of rural areas, has come about with the loss of family farms.

B. The tendency of corporate farming to transport profits out of communities.

C. Community structure changes as workers are brought in from outside the community and paid

primarily minimum wage.

D. Reduced human satisfaction with and within agriculture

  1. Why is crop rotation beneficial?

Rotating crops reduces weeds, diseases, and pests. Improves soil health by helping the nutrients return to the soil, reduces soil erosion, and reduces the risk of water contamination by agricultural chemicals.

  1. How does the proper use of grazing animals help soil and other agricultural resources?

Using grazing animals properly as part of agronomic systems increases soil quality, reduces erosion, and reduces water runoff.

  1. In your opinion are there any sustainable practices that could be a part of modern agricultural systems? (This is an opinion question but you should be able to explain reasons for your opinion.)

Yes and no. Practice like rotating crops will be easy because it might be time consuming but not costly and simple to put into a practice. On the other hand, using animals to graze lands can be costly because you need to keep the animals alive for them to do those work.

  1. Why is it likely that for the foreseeable future US agriculture will continue to contain the monoculture of plants and animals as part of an overall sustainable agriculture strategy?

Current profit margins in agriculture are small, current economic and social systems do not promote them, and the world’s population is growing and needs feeding.

  1. Describe ways to integrate both plants and animals into a diversified farm site.

Plant “fodder trees” for animal feed, and produce livestock forage under orchard tree crops like walnuts. Use swine to scavenge behind ruminants.

Use ruminants to manage small grain crops through the winter and to eat food processing wastes.

Use mixed ruminant species to graze stockpiled forages and wild growth after the plant-growing season in dry areas.

Use ducks and geese to eat grass between crop rows, and flocks of chickens to create an insect buffer zone around plantings.

Select species and varieties that are well suited to the sites and conditions of the farm.

Diversify crops and livestock.

  1. What are some ways to make today’s agricultural practices more sustainable?

Grass-fed and grass-finished beef, free-range turkey, pasture/self-harvest pig production, use grazing animals to full potential, recombinant DNA tech, and other biotechnological applications (great promise for sustainable practices). Conserve and create healthy soil by using organic matter instead of chemicals. Conserve water by using efficient irrigation methods. Select diverse plants and animals suitable to the environment. See answers to question number 2 above. Manage weed with minimal environmental impact.

  1. What arguments could you use to convince a farmer to convert to more sustainable practices?
  • It will enhance their quality of life - multiple enterprises make the best use of labor
  • Boost economic viability with multiple income sources
  • Makes use of nonrenewable sources
  • Best use of natural farm resources reduce the need for costly inputs
  • Crop failures can be harvested by animals to provide valuable nutrients back to the soil instead of going to waste
  • Animals allow for short-term productive use for fallow land so it can rejuvenate
  • Enhance natural resource quality
  1. Why does efficiency play a role in whether or not a specific plant or animal is useful in on sustainable farm?

Sustainable systems rely on interrelationships between diverse plant, animal, and human segments to nurture each other. If the feed isn’t efficient to feed the animals, the animals aren’t efficient in feeding us.

  1. Why is site specificity so important to sustainable agriculture?

Because sites vary, sustainable agriculture practices include different techniques to address site-specific soil quality, water availability, natural resources, pests, and market access. Species and crop varieties should be selected for the site and conditions on the farm. Each farmer has individual goals and lifestyle choices based on their farm.

  1. Do you think sustainable agriculture would be where it is today if there had been a more significant investment in the research of agroecological farming systems? (This is an opinion question but you should be able to explain reasons for your opinion.)
  2. Is food security a bigger concern for monocultural farming systems or diversified systems? Explain your answer.

Food security is a greater concern for monocultural farming systems because one bout of disease or unexpectedly low price may cause a financial crisis since the producer only has one product to sell at one time.