Fall 2004 Poultry Press
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Farmed Animal Slaughter Statistics

“Free-Range” Does Not Reduce the Death Toll

Animals Slaughtered for Food in the U.S. in 2000 and 2003 (Minimum) (individuals rounded to nearest thousand)

Animals
2000
2003
Chickens
8,424,208,000
8,684,434,000
Turkeys
   268,026,000
   267,781,000
Pigs
     98,106,000
   101,043,000
Cattle
     36,416,000
     35,648,000
Ducks
     24,494,000
     24,301,000
Lambs/Yearlings
       3,141,000
       2,691,800
Calves
       1,172,000
       1,039,000
Goats
          542,000
          647,000
Sheep
          166,900
          145,000
Horses
            47,000
            50,000
Bison
            18,000
            35,000
TOTALS
8,856,337,000
9,117,814,800

Data do not include fish and other animals routinely farmed for food.

Data for chickens, turkeys, and ducks from Poultry Slaughter (February 2001) and Poultry Slaughter 2003 Summary (March 2004). Data do not include hatchery slaughter data.

Data for pigs, cattle, calves, goats, horses, bison, and sheep/lambs from Livestock Slaughter 2000 Summary (March 2001) and Livestock Slaughter 2003 Summary (March 2004).

Source: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service and National Agricultural Statistics Website.

These statistics are presented in “On the Killing Floor” by Paul Shapiro of Compassion Over Killing (COK.net) in the Summer 2004 issue of the AV Magazine, published by The American Anti-Vivisection Society. The Summer issue features farmed animal issues from biotechnology to aquaculture. It includes a UPC cover photo of rescued former battery-caged perching in the trees and an essay by UPC President Karen Davis, PhD, “The Life of One Battery Hen.” (American Anti-Vivisection Society, 215-887-0816 , www.aavs.org)

For estimated 2004 U.S. slaughter figures and discussion, visit www.WFAD.org

For 2003 global slaughter figures and discussion, visit www.upc-online.org/slaughter/92704stats.htm

Fall 2004 Poultry Press
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