As though there weren’t enough misery in the lives of Canada’s farmed
animals, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has just approved two more
drugged feeds for rapid weight gain in farmed animals: Engain 20 and Actogain
100. The active drug in Engain and Actogain is ractopamine, a beta-agonist that
has been banned in over 160 countries as a suspected carcinogen.
animals, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has just approved two more
drugged feeds for rapid weight gain in farmed animals: Engain 20 and Actogain
100. The active drug in Engain and Actogain is ractopamine, a beta-agonist that
has been banned in over 160 countries as a suspected carcinogen.
Manufactured by Zoetis, Engain and Actogain join Paylean 20 and
Optaflexx 100, manufactured by competing drug company Elanco. You may recall
that their sister feed, Zilmax, which also uses a beta-agonist, was recently
tied to hoof
loss in cattle.
Optaflexx 100, manufactured by competing drug company Elanco. You may recall
that their sister feed, Zilmax, which also uses a beta-agonist, was recently
tied to hoof
loss in cattle.
Author and veterinarian Dr. Michael W. Fox
has described the drug’s effects on pigs as “the cruelest thing to do to
the pig’s psyche – or to any creature’s state of mind and sense of well-being.
This drug destabilizes the pig’s physiological and psychological homeostasis
and subjective sense of well-being, evident in their heightened, chronic states
of irritability, agitation, flightiness, and aggressiveness.”
has described the drug’s effects on pigs as “the cruelest thing to do to
the pig’s psyche – or to any creature’s state of mind and sense of well-being.
This drug destabilizes the pig’s physiological and psychological homeostasis
and subjective sense of well-being, evident in their heightened, chronic states
of irritability, agitation, flightiness, and aggressiveness.”
Indeed, this trauma
is even listed on the feed’s label: “Pigs fed ractopamine hydrochloride
may be at increased risk for exhibiting the fatigued or downer pig
syndrome.” For turkeys, the label indicates: “Feeding ractopamine
hydrochloride to tom turkeys during periods of excessive heat can result in
increased mortality.”
is even listed on the feed’s label: “Pigs fed ractopamine hydrochloride
may be at increased risk for exhibiting the fatigued or downer pig
syndrome.” For turkeys, the label indicates: “Feeding ractopamine
hydrochloride to tom turkeys during periods of excessive heat can result in
increased mortality.”
A feed that causes
animals to lose their hooves, makes them unable to stand up, and kills them? That’s A-OK with the
CFIA.
animals to lose their hooves, makes them unable to stand up, and kills them? That’s A-OK with the
CFIA.
Thankfully, you don’t have to
be part of the suffering of these animals. By choosing a plant-based diet you
can help end the cycle of violence. To learn more about moving to a meat-free
diet, go to ChooseVeg.ca.
be part of the suffering of these animals. By choosing a plant-based diet you
can help end the cycle of violence. To learn more about moving to a meat-free
diet, go to ChooseVeg.ca.
