AGRICULTURE REPORT - Rules for Treatment of Farm Animals

AGRICULTURE REPORT
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July 16, 2002: Rules for Treatment of Farm Animals

By George Grow

This is the VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT.

People rarely consider the life of a chicken whose meat they are planning to eat. Yet the way chickens and other
farm animals are treated has become a big issue in the United States.

Last month, two American trade groups announced measures designed to improve the living
conditions and treatment of farm animals. The groups are the Food Marketing¹ Institute and the
National Council² of Chain Restaurants. They represent thousands of food stores and eating
places across the country.

Animal rights activists³ have long urged the American food industry to establish rules for the
treatment of farm animals. They say the new measures are a good first step.

American agriculture has changed greatly over the past century. For example, some farms today have thousands
of animals. The systems used to raise animals have become increasingly⁴ like those used in factories. In recent
years, pressure to improve conditions has increased.

An animal rights group called People for the Ethical⁵ Treatment of Animals is leading the effort.

PETA organized a campaign against the McDonald’s fast-food company in nineteen-ninety-nine. A year later,
McDonald’s approved rules for its suppliers. The company said it would not use suppliers who violated⁶ the
rules. PETA then targeted other companies. All agreed to make changes.

The Food Marketing Institute and the National Council of Chain Restaurants spent almost two
years developing the new measures. They asked a team of scientists and experts to study
existing rules for the treatment of chickens, turkeys, cows and pigs. Team members identified
problems and suggested changes.

The new measures call for all farm animals to have enough food, water and space to live. They

include a number of issues about the treatment of farm animals. For example, one measure
says farmers should stop starving chickens to make them lay more eggs. Another says pregnant⁷ pigs should not
be housed in very small metal boxes. And all animals should be unconscious and feel no pain before they are
killed.

The trade groups say they are now developing ways to make sure food suppliers honor⁸ the new measures. They
say additional⁹ measures will be announced in October.

This VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT was written by George Grow.

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1 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

2 council   

n.理事会，委员会，议事机构

参考例句：

• The town council passed a law forbidding the distribution of handbills.市议会通过法律，禁止散发传单。
• The city council has declared for improving the public bus system.市议会宣布同意改进公共汽车系统。

3 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 increasingly   

adv.逐渐地，日益地，逐渐增加地

参考例句：

• Rivers are being increasingly made use of by man. 河流正在日益为人类所利用。
• I find it increasingly difficult to live within my income.我发现靠收入过日子越来越难了。

5 ethical   

adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to get the youth to have a high ethical concept.必须使青年具有高度的道德观念。
• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。

6 violated   

亵渎( violate的过去式和过去分词 )； 违反； 侵犯； 强奸

参考例句：

• Note that thick, strong angles of tibia are not violated. 注意肥厚、结实的胫骨成角部分未受损坏。
• The soldiers violated the church by using it as a stable. 士兵们把教堂当马厩，亵渎了教堂。

7 pregnant   

adj.怀孕的，怀胎的

参考例句：

• She is a pregnant woman.她是一名孕妇。
• She is pregnant with her first child.她怀了第一胎。

8 honor   

n.光荣；敬意；荣幸；vt.给…以荣誉；尊敬

参考例句：

• I take your visit as a great honor.您的来访是我莫大的光荣。
• It is a great honor to receive that prize.能拿到那个奖是无上的光荣。

9 additional   

adj.添加的，额外的，另外的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to set down these additional rules.有必要制定这些补充规则。
• I think we can fit in an additional room.我想我们可以再加建一间房子。