DlB-Lancaster Farming Saturday, February 18,1989 BY BONNIE BRECHBILL Franklin Co. Correspondent SHIPPENSBURG “The ani mal welfare movement is a force to be reckoned with. It’s going to have an impact on what you do and how you do it,” Dr. Kenneth Kephart told pork producers at the Adams/Franklin/Cumberland Pork Producer’s meeting. “Ten to twenty years from now there will be changes on farms because of animal welfare issues. The magni tude of those changes depends on how well we can educate consum ers,” he added. Kephart, Pennsylvania State University Swine Specialist, spoke to about 40 farmers at the Memorial Lutheran Church February 8. He differentiated between ani mal rights issues and animal wel fare issues. Animal rights suppor ters oppose the use of animals for profit, for food and for bio medical research. Supporters of animal welfare issues oppose cages for laying hens, stalls for veal calves, farrowing cratses, gestation stalls, tethers for sows, lack of bedding, and the lack of anesthesia during such procedures as clipping teeth, notching ear, and castration. “Some pork producers them selves don’t believe in using far rowing crates, either,” Kephart said. “But they won’t try to change what YOU do.” According to Kephart, many consumers think that high- SCRAPE. 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They have a picture in their minds of a storybook. Old MacDonald type of farm, and think farmers make a living that way. Animal welfarists have made more inroads in farm procedures in European countries than they have in America. In Britain, for example, calves over two weeks of age must have solid food, and anesthesia must be used when castrating pigs and goats over two months of age, and bulls and rams over three months. In Sweden, no tethers may be used for sows, poultry farmers must phase out cages for hens within ten years, and all new technology is subject to testing before approval. “The Swedish public thought this law didn’t go far enough,” Kephart said. “These are the kinds of things that will come here.” Kephart also mentioned that a researcher at Cornell University recently forfeited a $530,000 grant for research on drug abuse because of pressure from animal welfare supporters. In September 1988, there were seventeen animal welfare bills pending. Among them were bills that would eliminate veal confine ment, allow an individual to sue the United States Department of Agriculture for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, and regulate all farm animal research and all shows involving farm animals. Press coverage has been heavy, Doxscrapers, backhoes, posthole diggers, snow ■ tillers. irkable B-SO Series compact tractors ' 2-speed rear PTO. Optional ission. From 17-24 HP. inal “Bi-Speed Turn” system allows ; turns in 4-Wheel Drive, which and even loading more efficient - flow cooling directs radiator heat ic operator for a comlbrtable, ride. Low piston speed extends ;ine life. The Kubota B-SO Senes Versatile „ compact tractors. H3KUBOTIT Nothing like it on earth' See Us For: ★ SALES ★ RENTALS ★ PARTS ★ SERVICE Movement Gaining Momentum Kephart said. On February 2, Ani mal Rights were featured on CBS’s “48 Hours” program, and the December 26 cover story of Newsweek magazine concerned animals in bio-medical research. In the recent election. Proposi tion 3 on the ballot in Massa chusetts called for the humane treatment of farm animals, regula tions concerning transportation, housing and processing of ani mals, fines of $l,OOO for viola tions, and allocations of up to ten cents per citizen to help producers change production practices to conform to the new guidelines. “That’s about $500,000 a year,” Kephart siad of the alloca tions. “You’re not going to change very many farrowing houses for that.” Proposition 3 was defeated by what Kephart called “a miracle.” Fanners united under the name Save Our Family Farm and edu cated voters through displays at fairs, fliers, letters to Congress men, interviews with the press, talks to civic groups, radio talks and debates. “They explained to consumers what was REALLY going on,” Kephart said. ‘‘They did a super job in getting the word out.” Kephart also profiled the typi cal CEASE (Coalition to End Ani mal Suffering and Exploitation) member. “He is devoted to the cause, well-educated often BE PREPARED FOR WINTE —C= agriculture ((heaters L.B. 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