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Pet Food Industry Blasted for Suggesting Self-Regulation

flounder

Well-known member
Article Posted: 04/13/2007 11:13:02 AM
Pet Food Industry Blasted for Suggesting Self-Regulation

Pet Defenders, the political action committee representing pet owners nationwide, called today's Senate oversight hearing into the national pet food recall a good first step towards regulating the pet food industry, but blasted the response of the pet food industry's public relations machine as uncaring and reckless.

While the Senate oversight hearing today to examine the recent pet food recall is a victory for pet owners nationwide, the Pet Food Institute, an industry group that represents the nation's pet food manufacturing companies, called any proposal for deeper federal regulations of the industry "presumptuous."

"The industry has been operating under its own set of self-imposed regulations, and that is precisely what led to the terrible contamination of pet food that has killed possibly thousands of our pets. It's preposterous that the industry continues to say that this is sufficient and continues to fight increased government regulation. The pet food industry remains reckless and more interested in profits than our pets," said Pet Defenders President Marty Stone. "Many pet owners believe that there is criminal neglect here and it is up to the government to investigate not a 'PR-firm created government- industry partnership,' the National Pet Food Commission."

Stone said more federal oversight of the pet food industry is necessary in the wake of the pet food recall. Recent reports indicate that FDA had never inspected the plants where contaminated pet food originated. Cases of kidney failure in pets have increased by 30% since the tainted food hit the shelves in early March.

Pet Defenders is also collecting testimonials from pet owners about sick pets and plans to deliver these stories to pet food executives and members of Congress.

"Pet owners who have lost their pets due to contaminated food deserve more than rhetoric on why the FDA failed to properly regulate the pet food industry," said Stone. "They deserve justice. That's why we're taking this issue directly to elected officials and industry leaders."

Founded in 2004, Pet Defenders is committed to candidates who support pet- friendly legislation at the local, state and federal level. Pet Defenders provides a voice in the political process to pet owners and their pets.


FEEDBACK
Post your feedback on this topic here!
04/13/2007 FELINE AND CANINE ALZHEIMER'S OR...MAD CAT and MAD DOG
DISEASE FROM PET FOOD ???



Terry S. Singeltary





http://www.swnebr.net/newspaper/cgi-bin/articles/articlearchiver.pl?160268



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Econ101

Well-known member
I saw the hearing. I thought Senator Durbin's summation of the day's testimony was on target. The industry, whatever industry, always wants to have self regulation. I really don't think it exists. It is kind of like asking a child pervert to self regulate their actions. The association that put it's seal of approval on the methods for the self regulation that was touted by the industry consisted of one employee. The Democrat's questions got it out of that witness. Durbin also noted that back in his day, the ingredients used in animal feed were much better inspected. I think he worked at a meat packing plant.

It is funny how the USDA has morphed into a bureaucratic welfare agency that looks after corporate interests under the claim that they help the family farmer. They have failed miserably at regulating the industry.

For this reason, I think we should call on Sec. Johanns to resign. He is just pushing big agribusiness policies, welfare policies, and cooperating with big agribusiness. Regulations that are being enforced help these companies out. This all at the request of Karl Rove, no doubt, who is in charge of bringing in the big money of politics for the republicans.

Speaking of Karl Rove, I thought he looked pretty goofy with his little dance he performed. I think the little dance was more indicative of his character and the policy decisions he promotes at the behest of big donors.
 

PORKER

Well-known member
The ingredients used in animal feed is never really checked for purity or source. I remember back when we used some wormer in swine that the one or two litters had 2 headed piglets. The feedmill came around and collected all the wormer and we never seen it again. I think it was made by Higromix or something like that.
The traceback to the source of ingredients like www.scoringcontainers.com does is very important and what was combined at each processing. As I see it ,the wrong or deliberate addition to the feed supply of a compound has killed thousands of pets , let alone the possiblity of our national herds of cattle ,swine , sheep, goats, poultry having the same possible event happen someday too.
 

flounder

Well-known member
flounder said:
Article Posted: 04/13/2007 11:13:02 AM
Pet Food Industry Blasted for Suggesting Self-Regulation

Pet Defenders, the political action committee representing pet owners nationwide, called today's Senate oversight hearing into the national pet food recall a good first step towards regulating the pet food industry, but blasted the response of the pet food industry's public relations machine as uncaring and reckless.

While the Senate oversight hearing today to examine the recent pet food recall is a victory for pet owners nationwide, the Pet Food Institute, an industry group that represents the nation's pet food manufacturing companies, called any proposal for deeper federal regulations of the industry "presumptuous."

"The industry has been operating under its own set of self-imposed regulations, and that is precisely what led to the terrible contamination of pet food that has killed possibly thousands of our pets. It's preposterous that the industry continues to say that this is sufficient and continues to fight increased government regulation. The pet food industry remains reckless and more interested in profits than our pets," said Pet Defenders President Marty Stone. "Many pet owners believe that there is criminal neglect here and it is up to the government to investigate not a 'PR-firm created government- industry partnership,' the National Pet Food Commission."

Stone said more federal oversight of the pet food industry is necessary in the wake of the pet food recall. Recent reports indicate that FDA had never inspected the plants where contaminated pet food originated. Cases of kidney failure in pets have increased by 30% since the tainted food hit the shelves in early March.

Pet Defenders is also collecting testimonials from pet owners about sick pets and plans to deliver these stories to pet food executives and members of Congress.

"Pet owners who have lost their pets due to contaminated food deserve more than rhetoric on why the FDA failed to properly regulate the pet food industry," said Stone. "They deserve justice. That's why we're taking this issue directly to elected officials and industry leaders."

Founded in 2004, Pet Defenders is committed to candidates who support pet- friendly legislation at the local, state and federal level. Pet Defenders provides a voice in the political process to pet owners and their pets.


FEEDBACK
Post your feedback on this topic here!
04/13/2007 FELINE AND CANINE ALZHEIMER'S OR...MAD CAT and MAD DOG
DISEASE FROM PET FOOD ???



Terry S. Singeltary





http://www.swnebr.net/newspaper/cgi-bin/articles/articlearchiver.pl?160268



TSS



Pet food poisons thousands of US animals

By Tim Shipman in Washington, Sunday Telegraph

Last Updated: 11:53pm BST 14/04/2007



The deaths of thousands of cats and dogs after eating contaminated pet food has led America, a nation of animal lovers, to respond in the only way it knows how: with anger, tears and litigation.

More than 3,000 pet owners are planning lawsuits to seek compensation for the loss of their beloved animals, with punitive damages for emotional distress. A dozen law firms are collaborating in a nationwide class action that could end with millions of dollars changing hands.

The case centres on Menu Foods, a Canadian company, which has withdrawn 40 brands of cat food and 51 brands of dog food from supermarket shelves after it emerged that they contained contaminated wheat gluten, imported from China.

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One lawsuit accuses Menu Foods of failing to act quickly enough, delaying the recall until after it had received complaints and after its own taste tests had resulted in the deaths of nine cats.

About 39,000 animals have fallen ill. The official death toll certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stands at 16. But by Friday morning, the death toll collected by the Pet Connection website, which was contacted by grieving cat and dog owners, had reached 4,000.

John Blim, a Chicago lawyer who filed one of the suits, said: "I would bet a year's pay that the final figure will be over 10,000."

Mr Blim represents Dawn Majerczyk, 43, from Chicago, whose ginger cat Phoenix died after eating its favourite treat, Special Kitty Select Cuts, manufactured by Menu Foods.

She told The Sunday Telegraph how Phoenix became lethargic and then sick before she had him put down. "I'm a nurse and I've seen a lot, but this was horrendous," she said.

She contacted Menu Foods but, she said: "I never got any response, so I went on the radio and TV to alert others."

Ilan Chorowsky, another Chicago lawyer launching a separate lawsuit, said: "People want compensation for their vets' bills, for the price of their pets and the cost of having them cremated. There are many pet owners out there who are furious. Many pets that have not died have kidney failure and will not recover."

A federal court will decide where the class action cases will be heard - crucial to the outcome, because not all states allow claims for emotional damage. In Illinois, a dustman was made to pay an 81-year-old woman $9,500 (£4,800) for running over her dog four years ago. In 2002, a jury in Oregon awarded £68,000 to a family whose two dogs had been intentionally poisoned.

The FDA said that melamine, a chemical used in plastics, was found in recalled pet food and in the wheat gluten used to make it.

Menu Foods last week also withdrew products on sale in Canada, made at its Ontario branch, after it discovered that a batch of the contaminated meal had been sent there. Separate legal action is pending in Canada.

Menu Foods did not return calls seeking a comment.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/15/wpets15.xml


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