Extremists Unveil New Tactic to Attack U.S. Farms
Oklahoma pork producers targeted with false claims to promote political agenda
February 1, 2012 – A new video released this week by the Humane Society of the United States, an extreme animal rights group, is more about politics than animal care. The footage, filmed by an “undercover” activist in 2011, does not actually reveal any animal neglect or mistreatment but attempts to mislead the public by showing common farm practices out of context. It’s important that those who watch the video understand that the organization behind this attack will not be satisfied until all meat, milk, and egg production is eliminated.
Ensuring proper animal well-being is the top priority of farmers and ranchers across all sectors of animal agriculture. Farm practices are implemented with animal care, environmental stewardship, and food safety in mind. The PQA Plus program was launched in 2007 to help pork producers measure, track and continuously improve animal well-being. Farm owners and employees who participate in the program are able to showcase their commitment to social responsibility while ensuring that U.S. pork products continue to be of the highest quality.
Many pork producers choose to raise pregnant sows in gestation stalls to prevent aggressive behavior and injury from other sows. Piglets’ tails are docked to prevent their dominant siblings from biting them, potentially causing extreme pain and infection. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that “most invasive procedures performed on piglets are done to protect the welfare of the pigs rather than to improve production.”
HSUS is using this new video to pressure grocery retailers to reject pork products from modern farms that utilize gestation stalls. This does not have the best interest of the animals, or consumers struggling to put food on the table, at heart. There is no scientific consensus on the best way to house sows because each system has advantages and disadvantages. HSUS will also likely attempt to use this video to promote its federal legislative agenda, which includes a newly introduced bill that would dictate the housing of laying hens.
To be clear: the ultimate objective of these groups is not to improve animal well-being but to promote their animal rights and vegan agenda while running farmers and ranchers out of business with legislation and bad press.
If you would like to learn more about today’s pig farms, visit the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s Youtube channel to watch a collection of videos, including farm tours and interviews with the people who help put food on your table. For more information about farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to animal care and to learn more about the real motives of animal rights extremist organizations, visit www.animalagalliance.org.
About the Alliance:
The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation. Find the Alliance on Facebook and Twitter.
Category: Press Releases
Tag: Humane Society of the United States, Pork,