Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
He continued:
Humans were in a contractual, symbiotic relationship with farm animals, with both
parties living better than they would outside of the relationship. We put animals into
optimal conditions dictated by their biological natures, and augmented their natural
ability to survive and thrive by protecting them from predation, providing food and
water during famine and drought, and giving them medical attention and help in birth-
ing. The animals in turn provided us with their products (e.g., wool and milk), their
labor, and sometimes their lives, but while they lived, their quality of life was good.
Proper husbandry was sanctioned by the most powerful incentive there is—self inter-
est! The producer did well if and only if the animals did well.
The same relationships and principles hold true in present animal agriculture,
including small farms and large integrated enterprises. Those engaged in food
animal agriculture are well aware of their obligation, as described by Rollins, to
continue the “contractual relationship” between humans and animals in ensur-
ing that animal well-being is always protected based on applying the best current
knowledge.
technologIes And PRoducts thAt suPPoRt
globAlIzAtIon of food AnImAl PRoductIon,
food sAfety, And AnImAl heAlth
The Panel on Animal Health, Food Safety, and Public Health, National Academy
Press (National Research Council, 1999), examined the benefits and risks associ-
ated with drug use in food animal production and recommended, among other
issues, increased efforts related to drug resistance and drug residues in animals.
Technology and research by private industry, government and public and private
universities have resulted in a variety of products, including antibiotics, hormones,
metabolic modulators, and vaccines and other veterinary products that have been
tested and approved for use in food animal production to enhance growth, effi-
ciency of feed utilization, and health. The use of these products in animal produc-
tion has been instrumental in reducing costs of animal source food production and
improving animal health and well-being. Some of these products and their uses
are described here.
b o v i in e s o m a t o t r o P i in f of r i n C r e a s e D m i L k y i e L D
Bovine somatotropin (bST) was approved for use in the United States about a decade
ago as a means of increasing milk yield and improving overall efficiency of produc-
tion. Its safety and efficacy have been established through years of research and use
in the dairy industry. Consumer groups have challenged the use of bST in dairy
cattle, resulting in its curtailed use in some countries.
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