Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
Animal Welfare and Environmental Issues
Jeff D. Ondrak DVM, MS Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center
2
Animal Welfare Well-being Welfare: the state of doing well; 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
5
Food Animal Production Rights
The extreme right of agriculture Animals = economic units within a production system Industrial exploitation as “units” Farm Sanctuary
6
Animal Rights Right: Bring to an end:
something to which one has a just claim via truth, privilege, moral approval or legal standing Bring to an end: Eating meats and wearing leather and wool Biomedical research Pet ownership Circuses and zoos Hunting and fishing Ranching Learning about animals by hands-on experience
7
Animal Welfare Rejects animal rights and food animal production rights viewpoints Animals are animals Sensitivity to animal behavioral expressions Obligated to provide the essential needs for well-being
8
Confinement
9
Pain management
10
Branding
11
Euthanasia
12
Production practices
13
Antibiotic Use
14
The Veterinarian's Oath
Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge. I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.
15
AVMA Animal Welfare Principle #1
The responsible use of animals for human purposes, such as companionship, food, fiber, recreation, work, education, exhibition, and research conducted for the benefit of both humans and animals, is consistent with the Veterinarian’s Oath
16
AVMA Animal Welfare Principles #8
The veterinary profession shall continually strive to improve animal health and welfare through scientific research, education, collaboration, advocacy, and the development of legislation and regulations.
17
Protecting the environment for future generations
Environmental Issues Protecting the environment for future generations Preserving human and animal health, soil sustainability, and aquatic and wildlife viability for years to come
18
Conflict “NIMBY” Agriculture vs. Environment Urban vs. Rural? Land use
Impact of agriculture on the environment
19
Soil Quality pH Salts Increase salinity Change soil profiles
20
Air Quality Odor Dust Non-odorous gases Others (e.g. flies)
Quantifiable aspects: frequency, intensity, duration, and offensiveness Dust Nuisance, traffic hazard, respiratory stress Non-odorous gases Methane and carbon dioxide Greenhouse gases related to global warming Others (e.g. flies)
21
Water Quality Water sources Pathways for Water Contamination
Surface water Ground water Pathways for Water Contamination Runoff Macropore flow Wells Leaching Ammonia volatilization
22
“Hazardous Waste” Nitrogen Phosphorus Pathogens Organic matter
Causes algae bloom in surface water Elevates nitrates in groundwater Phosphorus Promotes eutrophication Pathogens Cryptosporidium and Giardia E. coli, Salmonella, etc. Organic matter Degradation leads to decreased oxygen in surface water
23
Animal Waste Management 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA)
Surface water protection – restore ‘fishable, swimmable’ qualities of lakes, streams, and estuaries in the U.S. Prohibits discharge of pollutants from a point source to waters of the U.S. except as authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
24
Animal Waste Management Definitions
Point Source – a single identifiable localized source of pollution Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) – animals fed or maintained for 45 or more days in a 12 month period within a place of confinement that was marked by an absence of vegetation during the normal growing season. Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) – Determined mainly by the size of the AFO, but also by its potential for surface water contamination. Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) – Formal description of how producers apply fertilizer, manure, and waste water to land.
27
Study – Agricultural Law Center, Drake University
Study included data from 15 states, commissioned by National Pork Producers Council, review of state records of violations and enforcements “Size of livestock operation is not related to the likelihood of an environmental violation” “most livestock producers, including CAFO’s, are not polluting the environment” “enforcement actions do occur, so producers careless of the design and maintenance of animal waste management systems will be penalized “Pork producers are reasonable and caring stewards of the environment”
28
Is manure… a dangerous source of pollutants that is contaminating the water we drink and the air we breathe? OR a national reserve of organic matter and plant nutrients which preserves our soil’s productivity and reduces global warming through carbon recycling and sequestering?
29
Questions?
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.