Target: Brooke Rollins, US Secretary of Agriculture
Goal: Protect public health and animal welfare by reforming industrial dairy practices and enhancing disease control measures against H5N1 avian influenza.
The alarming findings that the H5N1 avian influenza virus can survive in raw milk and certain cheeses pose a grave public health danger, as the outbreak moves from infected poultry farms into the human food supply. This significant threat underscores a distressing failure of current disease control protocols, highlighting the urgent need for reform in industrial dairy practices. The fact that a virus known to cause nearly total mortality in birds is making its way into foods consumed by people should catalyze immediate action to address this escalating crisis.
Crowded and unhygienic farming conditions create an environment in which H5N1 can rapidly spread and mutate. The potential for the virus to adapt and endanger human health rises as the infection spreads among birds, cattle, and other mammals. When milk from infected cows enters the market, albeit in limited quantities, it poses an avoidable risk to consumers. Adding to this risk are promotions for increased whole milk consumption, which fail to acknowledge the dire biosecurity concerns and animal welfare issues inherent in existing industrial dairy production systems.
To safeguard public health and ensure humane treatment of animals, it is imperative to demand an end to practices that prioritize profit over safety. The brutal cycle of mass culling as a reactive measure does not sufficiently address the systemic issues contributing to the spread of H5N1. The demand for change in the agriculture sector is urgent – moving towards safer, more humane, and more sustainable food systems is essential in preventing future outbreaks and protecting both animals and the public.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Rollins,
Recent research has brought to light a significant public health risk related to the H5N1 avian influenza virus, which can survive in raw milk and certain cheeses, threatening consumers and demonstrating that current disease management practices are failing. The spread of this virus from poultry barns to food products consumed by people must not be overlooked, as it reveals the vulnerabilities within industrial dairy production systems.
Therefore, we respectfully urge you to take immediate action to reform industrial farming practices, enhance biosecurity measures, and prioritize public health and animal welfare. It is crucial to create a system that does not compromise safety for profit, but rather fosters humane treatment of animals and protects the health of all citizens.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pixabay
