After dozens of the largest pork retailers have succumbed to
pressure from the Humane Society of the United States to agree to bans on
housing sows in gestation crates, the American Meat Institute has come out with
a video to educate the public.
I guess it's better late than never.
This latest installation of the MythCrusher
video series “seeks to clarify controversy and confusion over modern sow
housing by taking viewers on a tour of a sow housing operation and explaining
the humane handling considerations that go into housing systems for pregnant
sows,” says Meatingplace Magazine.
The video features Stacy Scramlin, assistant
professor of animal science at South Dakota State University, and Janet Riley,
AMI senior vice president of public affairs and liaison to the animal welfare committee,
touring a modern, biosecure hog facility where visitors must shower in and out.
“Housing for pregnant sows is a complex issue
that can be complicated by emotion and misinformation,” said Riley.
On the video, Scramlin discusses several issues
that must be considered when selecting the best sow housing for a particular
farm, including management of feed and water as well and protection of sows
from one another.
According to the American Veterinary Medical
Association, welfare is determined by several factors, not just the housing
system.
“Regardless of the system, as long as it is
managed properly, that is the most important thing for the wellbeing of the
animal,” said Scramlin.
The Meat MythCrusher video
series is produced by AMI in conjunction with the American Meat
Science Association.
The series, now in its fifth year, includes 39
videos. Topics include antibiotic use, “superbugs” in meat, Meatless Monday,
hormone use, ammonia in ground beef and grass-fed beef.
