|
For Immediate Release Jennifer Hanson
February 12, 2009 916-651-4016
Ag chair leading charge for CA’s “Happy Cows”
Florez introduces measure to ban inhumane practice of docking dairy cow tails
SACRAMENTO – Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez (D-Shafter) will hold a news conference Friday in Sacramento to roll out legislation to end the long-standing dairy practice of crudely amputating cows tails, considered by many to be inhumane and unnecessary. Florez, who chairs the Senate Food and Agriculture Committee, will be joined in his announcement by Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States.
Tail docking is a procedure in which up to two-thirds of a cow’s tail is amputated – without anesthesia – usually by tightly tying the tail to restrict blood flow ‘til it falls off. Practitioners claim the practice improves hygiene, but scientific research does not support that claim. In fact, tail docking limits a cow’s ability to ward off fly attacks and creates pain and distress. Increased fly attacks have been linked to disrupted grazing, slower growth and reduced milk production.
“With no added benefit to the safety of our food supply, tail docking is nothing more than needless animal cruelty which must be stopped,” said Florez. “I believe the dairy industry will find that living up to California’s claim of ‘Happy Cows’ is a win-win with a positive benefit to them as well, as decreasing stress in dairy cows ultimately leads to increased milk production.”
Friday’s news conference to rollout out Senate Bill 135 will be held at 11 a.m. in Room 3191 of the California State Capitol.
*** MEDIA ADVISORY *** MEDIA ADVISORY *** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
WHO: Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, D-Shafter
Chair, Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture
Wayne Pacelle, Pres. and CEO, Humane Society of the United States
WHAT: Introduction of legislation to ban tail-docking of dairy cows
WHEN: Friday, February 13, 2009
11:00 a.m.
WHERE: State Capitol, Room 3191; Sacramento, CA
|
