1vegan
09-18-03, 10:18 AM
From a Dutch newspaper, sorry for the rough translation,
Just cull pregnant cow
Unborn calves seem to suffocate slowly when pregnant cows are culled in the process of culling animals in cases of BSE and FMD.
The board for animal affairs says in advise to the ministry of agriculture that the current way of culling pregnant cows has to be maintained.
Although during the last FMD crises there was no report of this, and people of the animal protection society were denied access to the culling sites, according to the board the culling of pregnant animals had led to “considerable emotional, ethical en possibly welfare problems”.
The mother animals are culled with a bolt gun or an injection. This causes the mother to die, but for a long time, foetal movements are seen in the unborn animal. It dies in a way that is associated with suffocation. The problem is mostly seen in cows, it might also be happening with sheep, pigs, goats or chicken.
According to the board, unborn animals have no awareness and therefore there is no welfare problem.
“The movements of the unborn animal, do not point to a conscious response and are no sign for loss of welfare”.
A strong and long electric shock of 600 volts and 15 amps probably would cause a heart failure in mother and foetus. This method is recommended in Germany, but there still is no certainty if the foetus is unconscious.
The board for animal affairs therefore advises to maintain the present culling methods.
Just cull pregnant cow
Unborn calves seem to suffocate slowly when pregnant cows are culled in the process of culling animals in cases of BSE and FMD.
The board for animal affairs says in advise to the ministry of agriculture that the current way of culling pregnant cows has to be maintained.
Although during the last FMD crises there was no report of this, and people of the animal protection society were denied access to the culling sites, according to the board the culling of pregnant animals had led to “considerable emotional, ethical en possibly welfare problems”.
The mother animals are culled with a bolt gun or an injection. This causes the mother to die, but for a long time, foetal movements are seen in the unborn animal. It dies in a way that is associated with suffocation. The problem is mostly seen in cows, it might also be happening with sheep, pigs, goats or chicken.
According to the board, unborn animals have no awareness and therefore there is no welfare problem.
“The movements of the unborn animal, do not point to a conscious response and are no sign for loss of welfare”.
A strong and long electric shock of 600 volts and 15 amps probably would cause a heart failure in mother and foetus. This method is recommended in Germany, but there still is no certainty if the foetus is unconscious.
The board for animal affairs therefore advises to maintain the present culling methods.