April, 28 2009, 12:48pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Tricia Barry, Farm Sanctuary, 607-583-2225 ext. 233,
tricia@farmsanctuary.org
Farm Sanctuary Issues Statement on the Swine Flu Outbreak
Gene Baur: 'Factory farms are...a prescription for disaster'
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.
Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection
organization, today issued a statement from Gene Baur, president and
co-founder, regarding the current global outbreak of swine flu
originating in North America:
"For more than 23 years, Farm Sanctuary has warned that cramming
thousands of animals into factory farms is not only bad for the
animals. These stressful, filthy, disease-ridden confines are also bad
for humans. Animals packed by the thousands in unnatural conditions
suffer immensely and these unhealthy, overcrowded operations are a
breeding ground for disease. For too long, agribusiness and the USDA
have failed to adequately address animal and human health risks - swine
flu, avian flu, MRSA, e-coli, salmonella, mad cow disease - the list
goes on. Factory farms are nothing less than a prescription for
disaster."
Through its Anti-Confinement Campaign, Farm Sanctuary is urging the
introduction and passage of legislation that would eliminate the use of
some of the most common confinement systems in place on factory farms -
gestation crates for breeding pigs, battery cages for egg laying hens
and veal crates for calves. The organization is also urging passage of
federal bills H.R. 1549 and S. 619 that would eliminate the use of
sub-therapeutic antibiotics on factory farms. More information on
pending legislation can be found at https://www.farmsanctuary.org/issues/legislation/.
Note: Photos and video b-roll footage of pig factory farms from Farm
Sanctuary investigations are available by request. Please contact media@farmsanctuary.org.
Farm Sanctuary fights the disastrous effects of animal agriculture on animals, the environment, social justice, and public health through rescue, education, and advocacy.
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