June 25, 2008

Dear friends,

We are deeply disappointed by recent reports of animal abuse at a livestock auction in Portales, New Mexico. The video released today documents numerous inhumane and unacceptable animal management practices, and underscores the importance of following humane animal handling guidelines and standards.

The safety of our nation's food supply depends on the health and welfare of our nation's livestock, and the importance of humanely handling that livestock cannot be overstated. Everyone involved in animal agriculture, whether on farms or in processing facilities, share an ethical responsibility to protect the health and welfare of animals used for food production. Animal agriculture has an obligation to step up its efforts to protect the well being of food animals and the safety of our food supply, and not just because of recently increased scrutiny.

The abusive practices shown in these videos must not be allowed to continue. Potential solutions include more comprehensive training and certification of livestock handlers in humane practices, increased veterinary oversight of production and processing facilities, constant vigilance by the livestock industry in ensuring adherence to humane handing guidelines and standards, and more rigorous enforcement of state and federal regulations regarding animal care and handling at livestock facilities.

The AVMA has several long-standing policies addressing the care and handling of animals used for agricultural production. In its "General Comments on Food Animals" the AVMA states that "animals raised for food, fur, and/or fiber should be treated and handled humanely with due consideration to their welfare and well being," and acknowledges that "all must identify and take steps to abandon or correct practices that are cruel, abusive, neglectful, and contrary to the well being of animals." The AVMA policy on "Transport, Sale Yard Practices, and Humane Slaughter of Livestock" states that "physical abuse of animals must not be tolerated under any circumstances." Its policy on disabled livestock states that disabled livestock must be handled humanely in all situations. At no time is a non-ambulatory, or 'downed,' animal to be dragged, and the AVMA recommends that downed cattle at livestock markets that do not respond to treatment and those down at processing facilities be immediately euthanatized.

The AVMA offers assistance, as needed, to the industries to ensure that animals are handled humanely. By working together, we can achieve the goal of preserving the health and welfare of our food-producing animal population and, therefore, protecting our nation's food supply.

Sincerely,

W. Ron DeHaven, DVM, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
American Veterinary Medical Association