HSUS, a Washington D.C. based lobbying group with an agenda to end the consumption of meat, dairy and eggs, is dictating the best livestock production methods? This group wants to get rid of animal agriculture and we’re allowing them to dictate what livestock housing methods are best?
I’m not here to debate the merits of hog housing methods. I’m a dairy farmer and a consumer of pork. Like most Americans, I don’t know anything about how hogs should be housed and am not in the position to dictate to a hog farmer what they should do on their farm. I know some hog farmers and trust them to provide good care to their animals because it’s the right thing to do. They spend their lives raising and caring for hogs. They have experience and knowledge regarding what works best to raise a healthy and happy hog that will provide quality pork products to consumers.
Chris Chinn, a 5th generation Missouri hog farmer and mother of two children, does a great job articulating her perspective regarding this recent announcement by McDonald’s in her blog Did You Know McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and Sonic All Support HSUS?
Why should we care if HSUS can bully McDonalds into requiring specific hog housing? Because this is not about hog housing; it’s about a lobbying organization taking away our choices. It’s about an elitist group with no experience caring for livestock dictating to farmers, restaurants, grocery stores and consumers what is best.
Each time HSUS claims a victory, that’s one more step towards taking away food choices. Little by little this powerful, fundraising machine is taking away your right as a consumer and my right as a farmer. Don’t let them get away with it!
I urge you to learn the true story of the Humane Society of the U.S. at Humane Watch.
Brenda
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head "They (Hog Farmers) have experience and knowledge regarding what works best to raise a healthy and happy hog that will provide quality pork products to consumers." Do we really need to day more?
Washington lobbyists have never been hungry and don't understand that modern production methods of raising food is safe, keeps food affordable and feeds the masses.
People are already struggling due to the economy and some are going hungry. Who will miss their next meal? Who will never have to financially worry about their next meal?
Thanks for your comments Robyn. I agree that Washington lobbyists have no idea what's best for livestock or consumers.
ReplyDeleteRemoving gestation crates and allowing the sows in with each other to fight is not humane.
ReplyDeleteGood point Tom.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to Boycott McDonald's
ReplyDeletePETA has 400,000 members the HSUS roughly the same. They both lie about membership. We represent the Food buyers of America. 300 Million A McDonald's boycott would send a message to these idiot corporate politically correct ball less executives at McDonald's. Our People who own and raise animals know how to do in America better than anywhere in the world, If our Agriculture catches a cold the world comes down with cancer..
Just Another assault on the food basket of the world by the Mandy Pandy goof balls at the HSUS and PETA. The next time you think about stopping by McDonald's... drive on by..
How much sense does it make to let VEGANS make the rules for raising any animal, much less animals raised to EAT? Thank you for the great blog article!!
ReplyDeleteEVERY LIVING CREATURE is ENDANGERED, from the pet in your bed to what you wear and what you eat when HSUS gets into the arena.....also the GAS for your CAR, are you surprised? There is a lizard in the West Texas desert where the cities need a WATER PIPELINE and there is oil to drill to lower prices and make jobs, and a tree that kills cows....that the lizards seem to nest around......guess what, they (with the state of Texas employees and Environmental whackos) want to declare that lizard ENDANGERED....they don't CARE about PEOPLE....... Agenda 21? anyone??
I would be curious to see your take on the FARM program. Do you participate in this? I understand the idea is to take a proactive approach and avoid some of these problems the hog industry is dealing with. However, I'm afraid that this is only a first step that opens the door for further intrusion by others to call the shots on how we care for animals and more opportunities for those with an animal rights agenda to get onto our farms and find a way to shut us down. It's so easy for the processors to say "our customers are demanding this" and pass the buck on to the producers. I have a real philosophical problem with allowing someone onto my own farm to evaluate how well I take care of my own property. Hog producers have tried this proactive approach and they are still dealing with HSUS-driven demands by customers.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comment and agree with what you are saying. I’m familiar with the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program. I understand people want to be reassured that animals are being properly cared for. Cow comfort and well-being has been and always will be the #1 priority on our farm. I believe the majority of dairy producers would tell you the same thing. We care for our cows because it’s the right thing to do, not because a program dictates it. There are costs associated with participating in FARM. If this program is important to consumers and milk processors, they must be willing to pay dairy farmers to administer it. Regardless of what we in animal agriculture do, groups like HSUS will always find fault because their goal is to eliminate the production of food animals.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reply. I appreciate your thoughts and agree 100%.
DeleteIf you do not think gestation crates are not one of the cruelest things a human can subject an animal to then you need to rethink things.
ReplyDeleteThe HSUS is completely right on this issue.
I hope you'll look at both sides of the issue. Want to hear a farmers perspective regarding gestation stalls? Read this informative blog from Meggie at Hoosier Farm Babe Tell Tails. Farmers who spend everyday with their animals know best how to care for them. If you have questions about animal care, please ask a farmer. They love what they do and want to share their experiences with you! Here's a link to post: http://www.hoosierfarmbabe.com/2012/08/the-truth-about-gestation-stalls.html
ReplyDeleteGood info, but I still feel gestation crates are cruel on average.
ReplyDeleteFarmers aren't the issue, Corporations taking over farming is the issue.
Those stalls can be used correctly, just as dog crates can be used correctly. But with corporations running things where share holder value is the only goal often animals pay the price of squeezed margins.
Almost every farm in the U.S. (98%) is owned and operated by a family. There are a few corporate owned farms, but they are the small minority. The majority of the food you consume is produced by a family-owned farm.
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