The farming practice of animal castration, (removal of the male sex organs), is a standard proceedure of cattle and hogs, and done without the use of anesthetics or pain medication in the United States. It is often done at the same time as removing the animals tail- another painful proceedure which the animal endures without pain relief.

The industry gives many reasons why this practice is done- but the main reason is to stop the release of male hormones that could taint the taste of the meat. Castration is preformed to get rid of the "gamey" taste.

This painfully cruel practice exists because farm animals have historically not been covered by animal welfare legislation in the United States. We ask that you ban the practice of farm animal castration without the use of anesthetics or pain medication.

Tom Vilsack
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
Phone: (202) 720-2791
Email: http://ds.usda.gov/

Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Veterinary Services
Deputy Administrator Dr. John R. Clifford
USDA/APHIS/AC
4700 River Road, Unit 84
Riverdale,
MD 20737-1234
Phone: (301) 851-3751
Fax: (301) 734-4978
E-mail: ace@aphis.usda.gov

American Veterinary Medical Association
Gail C. Gobal, PhD, DVM
Headquarters:
1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360
Phone: 800.248.2862
Fax: 847.925.1329
http://www.avma.org/contact_us.asp

The farming practice of animal castration, (removal of the male sex organs), is a standard proceedure of cattle and hogs, and done without the use of anesthetics or pain medication in the United States. It is often done at the same time as removing the animals tail- another painful proceedure which the animal endures without pain relief.

The industry gives many reasons why this practice is done- but the main reason is to stop the release of male hormones that could taint the taste of the meat. Castration is preformed to get rid of the "gamey" taste.

This painfully cruel practice exists because farm animals have historically not been covered by animal welfare legislation in the United States. We ask that you ban the practice of farm animal castration without the use of anesthetics or pain medication.