Dr. Michael Fox: Animal Rights

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

FOX: Well, first of all, I think there will eventually have to be some sort of alliance formed between concerned animal raisers and conscientious consumers. Of course, in order for that to happen, we'll have to overcome the combined public-relations/propaganda power of the agricultural and biomedical industries. Through their house publications, and with the help of the government agencies that speak the "party line", these groups are — as I mentioned before — making concerted efforts to polarize the animal welfare issue, to convince farmers that animal welfare advocates are out to destroy American agriculture, to put them out of business.

I must admit, though, that the polarization has also been helped along at times by the more radical "animal liberation" groups . . . which are pretty much the fringe elements of the animal rights movement, and are against raising livestock at all. In my view, such individuals simply aren't being reasonable. Farm animals can be components in a sound food-production ecosystem. Furthermore, the liberation groups fail to consider that 85% of the world's draft power for agriculture comes from "beasts of burden". "Liberating" those animals would result in mass starvation . . . and tractors are neither economically nor ecologically viable as alternatives.

At any rate, the polarization is primarily a product of agribusiness propaganda . . . which, of course, has been able to use radical statements made by animal "libbers" to great effect in scaring farmers. And this polarization stands in the way of the creation, through simple publicity, of a market for humanely raised meat and such that would parallel the now rapidly expanding demand for "organic" or "natural" foods. This market is already developing in Europe, where "animal welfare veal" and eggs from hens not raised in battery cages are specifically sought by many consumers. Why, there's a significant — but virtually unexplored — market for lean range- or forage-fed beef in the U.S. right now . . . based in part upon the growing concern about the effect on human health of consuming animal fat.

Really, if we can simply inform the public of the situation, and let them know that more humanely raised — and likely much more healthful — meat is being produced, they'll be able to support the livestock growers who are employing wholistic and humane practices . . . and thus prove that there's an economically viable alternative to the factory farms.

PLOWBOY: That's a big order, and it'll be especially hard to fill when working against the sort of opposition you face. Can you give us some examples of the arguments the agribusiness establishment will likely continue to use to deny the need for animal welfare reform?

FOX: Yes, I can. Aside from the simple ploy of picturing all of us as idealistic fools who anthropomorphize — that is, attribute human traits to — creatures that we don't really understand, the attacks can range from the sublime to the ridiculous.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print