Recently a resolution was placed before the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates to ban ventilation shutdown (VSD) as a method of mass depopulation.  The resolution was submitted by veterinarians representing animal rights groups and humane associations.  The resolution failed to meet the two-thirds approval for a waiver of a prior notice.

Arguments opposing the amendment to the AVMA Depopulation of Guidelines are based on the fact that during the current year, carbon dioxide was in short supply due to reduced operation of ethanol plants and personnel for alternative methods of depopulation were unavailable due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The resolution was rejected by a small majority and it is anticipated that activists within the veterinary profession will continue in their efforts to have VSD removed from the Depopulation Guidelines. 

An advisory from the House of Delegates suggests that if VSD is applied, effectiveness should be enhanced by the use of additional heat and introduction of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere of the house (VSD-plus).  The AVMA referred to the basic resource document www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/avma-guidlines-depopulation-animals