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No Need for Pure Breeds?
The National Swine Registry and the Animal Rights Agenda
Whether you know it or not, members of the National Swine Registry are targets for the animal-rights movement.
Ear notching, castrating and tail docking are abusive production techniques according to the animal-rights lobby, but the issue of “genetic manipulation” is beginning to take center stage on their agenda.
To the animal-rights activist, manipulating genes or selecting livestock for improved traits goes against the notion of natural selection.
In other words, any time a purebred breeder selects an animal to improve efficiency, growth, muscle or carcass merit, then the animal has been abused.
Recently, Trent Loos, founder of Faces of Agriculture, had the opportunity to attend a national animal-rights convention at which genetic manipulation was a topic.
“Purebred breeders need to be aware that they are considered animal abusers,” Loos says. “The whole notion that livestock is bred to be pure is not acceptable to most animal-rights organizations.
“In their minds, anything in the wild would be crossbred,” he explains. “Breeding something to be a purebred goes against natural selection and is wrong.”
If genetically improving purebred swine is considered abusive, then every member of the National Swine Registry, whether involved in the commercial sector or the show ring, must be concerned with the agenda of the animal-rights lobby.
Everett Forkner, NSR member and chair of the Commercial Advisory Board, says he is very concerned with the animal-rights movement. “This subject has come up during staff meetings,” he says. “We want our people to be aware of the animal-rights agenda and what to do if an activist shows up on our property. Yes, we are beginning to take this issue very seriously.”
Showpig breeders should also view the animal-rights movement as a threat, says Bill Hoewischer, Advisory Board member to the NSR Shows and Services division.
“Showpig breeders should always be concerned with the animal-rights community because they do not use reasonable judgment when investigating our industry,” he says.
“We have to remember that a hog show is a public event and easily accessed by the animal-rights people,” he continues. “We need to give extra good care to our show animals so that we are not targeted by animal-rights organizations.”
Darrell Anderson, CEO of NSR, offers his advice to those involved with the show ring.
“Remember that county fairs, state fairs and livestock expositions are a window to the public,” Anderson says.
“Many people develop their thoughts and opinions of livestock agriculture based on what they see at these venues,” he continues. “We need to make sure that we leave a positive and lasting impression on these people. This will go a long way in discrediting the animal-rights movement.”
No doubt, the animal-rights community will continue to attack the livestock and purebred industries.
Whether involved in the production of commercial breeding stock or showpigs, purebred breeders and NSR members need to be aware that “genetic manipulation” makes them a target for the animal rights agenda.
