In an effort to foster a more balanced conversation about farm-animal care and to provide credible feedback to promote continuous improvement, the Center for Food Integrity has created an Animal Care Review panel. The panel, which includes an animal scientist, a veterinarian and an ethicist, has already studied the most recent undercover video released by Compassion over Killing.  The video was recorded at an Iowa hog farm.

After reviewing the video the panel reports that most of what is shown in the video are normally accepted production practices and there was nothing that could be considered abusive. It was noted that employees appeared to be competent and well-trained and that the barn floors and the pigs themselves were clean. In one part of the video an employee is seen using tape on a piglet’s incisions following castration. One of the experts noted such a practice is considered more welfare friendly than stitches because it is less intrusive and requires less handling of the pig.

The experts did see several flies in a farrowing room. They determined that was a point of concern and something the experts felt the farm needs to correct. They also questioned the use of the practice of “back feeding”. The experts noted it is unclear if this practice involves sows or pigs and its exact purpose.

The pig panel includes: Dr. Temple Grandin, an animal scientist at Colorado State University: Dr. Candace Croney, associate professor of animal science at Purdue University; and Dr. Tom Burkgren, DVM, executive director of American Association of Swine Veterinarians. CFI officials say they will apply the review panel concept to other animal agriculture sectors as they show interest.

Courtesy: NAFB News