Bay Area Group Exposes The Myth Behind California’s Happy Cows
East Bay Animal Advocates (EBAA), a San Francisco Bay Area-based animal advocacy organization, unveiled the findings of its investigation of the California dairy industry.
(PRWEB) April 27, 2005 -- The group’s graphic documentation (available at www.insidedairyproduction.com) reveals systematic animal
neglect at dairy farms across the state. EBAA documented conditions at farm
operations in five of California's top producing dairy counties (Merced, San
Joaquin, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Tulare).
Each year the California Milk
Advisory Board spends $37 million to promote the Happy Cows marketing campaign.
“The Happy Cows advertising demonstration contrasts with the life of the
modern California dairy cow,” states Christine Morrissey, director of East Bay
Animal Advocates. “Despite exceptional economic and agriculture growth,
California's dairy practices have a detrimental effect on animal welfare,
environmental sustainability, public health, and occupational safety.”
In
California, dairy concentrated animal feeding operations commonly confine
several thousand cows on limited acreage. Cows are denied adequate protection
from severe weather conditions. The pasture-less dry lot system increases the
incidence of infection, disease and injury among the cow
population.
According to California’s South Coast Air Quality Management
District, California dairies pose a serious threat to humans living in
surrounding rural communities.
In 2004, the California Pollution Control
Financing Authority allocated $70 million in state bond funds to expand large
dairy operations, which produce significant amounts of pollution from cow
manure.
Founded in 2003, East Bay Animal Advocates is a nonprofit
organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through education and rescue
efforts, EBAA works on campaigns to defend animals harmed in agriculture,
entertainment, fashion, households, research and beyond.
For more
information: www.insidedairyproduction.com
Farm Footage Available
for Media.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/4/prweb233378.htm