Snapshots

Dr. M. Gatz Riddell (standing), executive vice president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and Dr. Tom Burkgren (left), executive director of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, told the AVMA Executive Board that their organizations disagreed with the AVMA’s support for legislation that would create federal hen-housing requirements. Dr. Riddell indicated that decisions on some animal care and husbandry practices, such as hen housing and cattle tail docking, will be decided on the basis of public perception, but he thinks such standards shouldn’t be set in federal law. Dr. Burkgren indicated the legislation, if passed, would set a precedent for federal standards on animal housing, and he expects some advocacy groups will next target sow gestation housing.