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In their sights: Target… animal agriculture
by Mark Meurer
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Animal rights vs. animal welfare: What’s the difference? Animal-welfare groups are a small, but organized, lobby that focuses on the well-being and so-called “humane treatment” of animals. These groups tend to tolerate animal agriculture, however they oppose “factory farming” and choose to concentrate their energy on the welfare of livestock. In general, animal-welfare organizations do not wish to stop animal agriculture, just return it to a more primitive state. |
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No need for pure breeds? The NSR 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. 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. 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. |
As John pressed his way through the frenzied crowd, he was pelted with garbage and debris from an angry mob.
Signs painted in blood red pulsated towards the sky, and protestors screamed obscenities as John slammed the gate and sprinted to his office door.
Down the road, sirens wailed and dust rose as law enforcement made the scene to crush the hysteria. As the handcuffs went on, the signs fell.
“No more gestation crates!” “Down with Factory Farming!” “Stop The Holocaust!” and “Meat Is Murder” littered the ground – just another day in American animal agriculture.
Does this scene sound far-fetched?
Should the pork industry be concerned that this fictitious story may become reality?
According to Bruce Friedrich, Director of Vegan Outreach for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, (PETA), “We support anything that decreases abuse and improves the lives of animals.
“It is our belief that animals should not be exploited, abused or eaten. In fact, our long-term goal is rid the world of animal agriculture and convert everyone to a plant-based diet.”
Far-fetched?
To persuade consumers that animal agriculture must be eliminated, PETA has vowed to use the animal-rights agenda as their emotional vehicle to drive the public to a vegetarian lifestyle.
Whether comparing the holocaust to modern poultry production or portraying gestation crates as “iron maiden” cells inflicting pain and suffering on America’s sow herd, the goal is clear: destroy animal agriculture and turn the population into herbivores.
An underlying principle that unites most animal-rights groups is the belief that farm animals are actually no different than humans.
Friedrich strongly suggests that pigs are smarter than the average 3-year-old child and that hogs and humans share the same pain and emotions.
“You would not ear notch a child, clip their teeth, castrate them or hang them by their ankles and slit their throats, would you? Why should an animal be treated any different? Frankly, I do not understand how civilized people can eat the corpses of other living things,” Friedrich says.
Dawn Moncrief, program director for the Great American Meat Out, a vegetarian campaign promoted by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), agrees with PETA’s assessment of modern animal agriculture.
“We believe that animals should not be enslaved and slaughtered for food. The world would be better off without animal agriculture,” Moncrief says.
If the animal-rights community is determined to end global meat consumption, how far will they go to reach their goal?
Recently, Friedrich cast his vision at a gathering of animal rights activists.
“As a movement, of course we are going to blow stuff up and smash windows. While I would not do it myself, I do advocate these things.
“It would be a great thing if fast-food restaurants, slaughterhouses, laboratories and the banks that finance them exploded tomorrow.
“Halleluiah to the people who are willing to do it.”
Some may say that Friedrich is a lone wolf on the far fringes of the animal-rights movement.
In actuality, his views are mainstream and shared by many others.
Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder of PETA, offered her appraisal of the animal-rights agenda in a recent issue of U.S. News and World Report.
Newkirk chided, “Our non-violent tactics are not as effective. We ask nicely for years and get nothing. Someone makes a threat, and it works.”
Far-fetched?
With million-dollar budgets and outrageously successful marketing campaigns like “Jesus Was A Vegetarian” and “The Holocaust On Your Plate,” some may think that the livestock industry is running scared from the animal-rights movement.
Trent Loos, founder of Faces of Agriculture, a non-profit organization that promotes the value of American agriculture, believes it is time for the industry to confront these groups.
“The animal-rights people are only a threat if we let them become one,” he challenges.
According to Loos, the American farmer and rancher must educate the consumer about modern agriculture.
“We are the experts when it comes to farming and ranching,” he says. “Either we get our hands dirty and tell our story, or the animal-rights activists will spread their lies about our business.”
Loos confesses, however, that the animal-rights message has already influenced modern animal agriculture.
“Gestation crates have been banned in Florida, and they are attempting to make them illegal in California,” Loos says. “They have also targeted veal producers in New Jersey to the point that the state is ready to outlaw veal production. Trust me, they will not stop until they have picked apart our industry.”
So, what message is the animal-rights movement using to capture the minds of the American public?
The answer – humanize animals.
Loos reveals that the animal-rights lobby is attempting to emotionally convince the American consumer that a crated sow, for instance, is no different than a man in jail.
“Who wants to be in jail?” Loos questions. “ By humanizing animals, their movement puts man and beast on the same level. The goal is to destroy animal agriculture by persuading the public that eating an animal is no different than eating a human being.
“Once again, radical vegetarianism is at the heart of their agenda,” Loos adds.
However, the question remains: Is the pork industry ready to confront the animal-rights movement?
Kara Flynn, Director of Communications for the National Pork Producers Council, says her organization is confronting the animal-rights agenda, but admits more needs to be done.
“Farmers need to be aware that the animal-rights people want to put them
out of business.
“Using animal rights to end meat consumption is the ultimate goal for these groups,” Flynn says.
She also points out that the animal-rights movement is well funded. It’s committed to spreading the message that modern animal agriculture is inherently evil.
To combat these anti-meat messages, NPPC and the National Pork Board are being proactive.
By providing educational materials to 44 state associations, Flynn stresses that NPB is not treating the animal-rights movement as a “back-burner” issue.
“Look what happened in Florida,” she says.
“They banned gestation crates, and the two producers who used them quit raising hogs. Farmers needed to realize that the animal-rights lobby is trying to set a legal precedence.
“Florida, then California and eventually Iowa hog farms will be targeted,” she warns.
Far-fetched?
If organizations like Faces of Agriculture, NPPC and NPB are taking the animal-rights agenda seriously, how are America’s pork producers regarding the issue?
According to Jake Boyer, an Iowa hog farmer, the animal-rights movement should be a concern for all producers.
“This is not about animal rights,” he says. “The issue is about putting farmers out of business. We’d better wake up and realize that these people are well funded and not concerned about the economic burden placed on this country if animal agriculture is eliminated.
“The only way to stop the madness is to get in front of the public and tell them our story: the real story, not their lies.”
In agreement is Randy Balderston, a pork producer who believes that education may be the best weapon against the animal-rights agenda.
“We host farm tours, and invariably somebody asks if our pigs are being treated inhumanely,” Balderston says.
“We explain how crates save the lives of baby pigs and keep the sows from fighting. We also show them our nursery and finishing units and explain that three-site production helps to make healthier pigs that do not need antibiotics.
“When our visitors leave, they have a much better understanding of how modern pork production works,” he explains.
Even with a growing number of voices in support of the American livestock industry, the animal-rights lobby continues to wage a war against animal agriculture.
Trent Loos sums up the seriousness of the movement.
“I just returned from a national animal-rights convention in Washington, D.C.,” he says. “In one particular seminar, the speaker was teaching 200 attendees how to bomb buildings and burn down ‘factory farms,’ packing plants and research facilities.
“Believe it or not, people lined up trying to get a resource guide on how to carry out these attacks,” Loos says.
Still not convinced about the seriousness of the animal-rights agenda?
Picket signs just may be the least of your worries.
