1994 RESOLUTIONS
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| 13 | |
COMMERCIAL BIG-GAME ANIMAL FARMING |
| There is an ominous, but
little publicized, trend in American agriculture which threatens our
wild herds of western elk. This is the growing, and
euphemistically named "elk farm" industry. |
||
| Elk farm advocates say
that their enterprise is just another diversification in American
agriculture that allows Western ranchers more flexibility in raising
animals for human consumption. This statement completely ignores
the fact that a major reason
for raising the elk is to sell the antlers at a very large profit to overseas
buyers from the Pacific Rim. The antlers are made into portions
that are supposed to reinvigorate the interest of older men in the
opposite sex. |
||
| |
Many veterinarians in the
Western states are alarmed by the distinct possibility that
domestically-raised elk, some who are cross-bred in-farm with Scottish
red deer, will escape to the wilds. Diseases, such as
tuberculosis, to which animals in captivity are susceptible, would be
transmitted to wild elk herds. Mating of wild elk with escaped
red deer, resulting in elk/red deer cross-breeds in the wilds, is also
likely. These circumstances present serious threats to our wild
elk herds; threats which must be addressed. However, there are
some very powerful agricultural interests who oppose controls of any
sort over domestic elk farms. This is true of elk farms
everywhere, except in Wyoming which does not permit them. |
|
| |
The Federation of
Western
Outdoor Clubs urges its Members and its Member Clubs to critically
investigate the "elk farm industry" in their respective states.
If they conclude that elk farms are not justified, and do constitute a threat to western
wild elk herds, they are requested to take actions to either terminate
elk farming in their state, or to ensure that all aspects of the elk farm industry
in their state are rigidly controlled. The Federation will also
convey its concern about this issue to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. |
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