Method/Source: Using estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the established baseline is 9.5 billion animals slaughtered in the U.S. This is the sum of the “peak” slaughter years within the last 5 years for each type of animal, including cattle, calves, hogs, sheep, lambs, chickens, turkey, and ducks. The figure does NOT include fish or shellfish because these animals are measured by weight, not individual lives. The score for this indicator calculates how much animal slaughter has reduced compared with the baseline by taking the difference between the baseline figure and the current number, as a proportion of the baseline figure.
Number of animals slaughtered (1,000s) to date, by year (based on annual slaughter rates)
Number of land-based animals slaughtered (1,000s) by year
Discussion: In 2009, just over nine billion cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, turkeys, and ducks were killed for food, representing the largest use of animals in the United States. This is a reduction of about 3.4%, or 300,000, land animals from 2006. The goal for many farm animal advocates is for no animals to be slaughtered for food. The number of animals killed is recorded by the USDA and should be reasonably accurate, although it does not include many animals who die as a result of farm animal industries but do not go to slaughter. For example, in the egg industry, male chicks are all killed upon hatching as they cannot lay eggs, but they are not included in the USDA’s totals.
Score: 5/100
Sources: United States Department of Agriculture slaughter statistics for poultry and "livestock."
Odometer widget created by Gavin Brock
NOBODY SHOULD EAT ANIMALS!!!
In my opinion, if a creature wants to live off meat it must hunt. the food industry has turned food into convenience and greed. the cows, chickens, turkeys, even fish are grown for the pure cash flow. typically the consumers health is not a concern, the price the consumer will pay is what matters. I’ve been vegetarian for 5 years with the exception that I only eat meat when it was killed by someone I know and was killed for the soul purpose of food, there must be no money involved. dont support the industry! dont support the greed! dont support the ignorance!