Editorial: Slaughter this idea, not birds

Wednesday, June 18, 2003 | 8:52 a.m.

In light of recent headlines around the world regarding the relationship of disease and the marketplace slaughtering of animals for consumption, the Las Vegas City Council should not hesitate for one second in banning live animal markets.

In January a market on North Lamb Boulevard sought permission to slaughter and process live birds on its premises. Preliminary approval was granted in April by the Planning Commission. If the City Council concurs, perhaps as early as next month, the slaughter of poultry could occur at small markets throughout the city provided the operators obtained a permit and met certain conditions. The conditions would include slaughtering and packaging all unsold birds at the end of the day and managing the unused flesh, bones, feathers, organs and bodily fluids in such a way that they did not enter the municipal sewage system.

Researchers are certain that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome originated in the live animal markets of China. Known as SARS, the disease has killed 800 people worldwide, sickened another 8,400 people, and severely damaged the tourism economies of places such as Toronto, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Washington Post recently quoted a noted virologist as saying: "There are probably hundreds, if not thousands -- maybe even millions -- of viruses out there. We don't even know they're there until we disturb them. SARS is probably just a gentle breeze of what one of these big ones is going to be someday."

Slaughterhouses belong under the watchful eyes of the U.S. Agriculture Department, not local health inspectors. Can Las Vegas afford the risks to its residents -- and its tourism industry -- associated with live animal markets scattered throughout the city, close to neighborhoods? We don't think so.