Making Hay

Change in the Air

 

by Gene

I’ve often seen “scientific” studies used to defend cruel, unjust institutions like factory farming so I was skeptical when I saw an article in an agribusiness journal entitled “Study examines link between high-protein diet, bone density” (Meatingplace.com, 7/7/2010) a few weeks ago. The research was funded by the National Pork Board and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and I expected the same sort of reductionist self promoting conclusion that is commonly arrived at by industry funded “science.” Instead, the study found that high protein diets including lean meat was associated with a loss of calcium in the bones. Those on a plant-based diet fared better.

Then, a couple weeks ago Meatingplace.com published a provocative article entitled, “How can food retailers become more sustainable? Use less meat.” It described a presentation at the annual meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists that suggested that the food industry should move toward “lower intensity agricultural products,” and that means using fewer animal-based foods.

And, yet another veggie friendly Meatingplace.com article recently reported: “More menu items are being labeled as ‘healthy,’ according to Mintel Menu Insights. These items saw a 65 percent increase between the second quarter of 2009 and the second quarter of 2010. Vegetarian labels on menu items rose by 12 percent between the second quarter of 2007 and the second quarter of 2010. More than half of diners who say they’re eating healthier food when they eat out do it by adding more fruits and vegetables.”

It is encouraging to see these subjects published in agribusiness trade media and showing up in concrete data. At the end of the day, agriculture should seek to feed the world by producing food in an ecologically efficient way that’s affordable, especially to those who need it. The best way to do that is to grow plants instead of animals for human consumption.

Now, if only our U.S. government’s Dietary Guidelines advocated for a plant-based diet, rather than allowing the meat, dairy and egg industries to insert their products into government recommendations. The Dietary Guidelines, released every five years, are up for revision this year, and thankfully the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee produced a report urging that Americans modify their diets to become more plant-based. The final 2010 Guidelines are now being crafted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Farm Sanctuary, in conjunction with Lewis and Clark Animal Law Clinic submitted comments to the USDA and HHS making recommendations for the 2010 Guidelines. We applauded the Dietary Guidelines Committee for advising that we move toward a more plant-based diet, and urged that the final Guidelines help facilitate a shift in dietary habits. You can read our comments here.

Although agribusiness is deeply entrenched in Washington, DC and in institutions that influence how we eat, there is a growing recognition of the many costs associated with our animal-based food system, and citizens are starting to make more healthful and conscientious food choices. As consumers and policy makers learn more about the consequences of our food choices, and seek to improve how we eat, the food industry will be forced to change.

Compassion for All: Introducing the 2010 Walk for Farm Animals

by Beth Begany

It’s now official: The 2010 Walk for Farm Animals is open for business, and compassionate people around the country are already signing up to participate.

Every year the Walks get bigger, as more people recognize the plight of farm animals and take an active role in speaking out for change. This year, celebrity trainer Bob Harper of the hit TV show The Biggest Loser joins us in bringing attention to farm animal issues as our 2010 Walk spokesperson. Having a spokesperson is new for us, and we couldn’t be happier to have such an inspiring and compassionate person working with us on this important event.

If you’ve ever seen Bob on TV, or picked up one of his workout videos, or visited his website, you know how much passion and positive energy he has, and how infectious that is. When Bob talks, people can’t seem to help but listen. He is a tireless advocate for the people he’s working to help, and he never, ever gives up. He’s kind and supportive, but he can also be tough when necessary. He knows what’s at stake, and he keeps his eye on the prize.

As we work to create change for farm animals, Bob’s example is a great one. We all need to be positive, kind, tireless and sometimes tough. And, we all need to make sure we take care of ourselves, because without our own health and well-being, we can’t be effective for others—including farm animals.

While the Walks are certainly good exercise and help us get some fresh air, they also serve as an important reminder of how much we sometimes take for granted—the ability to go outside, to stretch when we’ve sat too long, to get away and have some time alone, to smell clean air and see blue sky, to choose a mate, to raise our young. These are the fundamental freedoms that so many farm animals never experience. Forget playing 18 holes of golf or running a marathon, what about taking two steps in any direction? What about simply turning around? The reality of what most farm animals endure is beyond our ability to even begin to imagine.

Which is why the Walks are so important.

The Walk helps us raise awareness about farm animal abuse, neglect and cruelty so people can know what’s happening and begin to take action to help.

We welcome Bob to the Walk and thank him wholeheartedly for his support and for his decision to speak out for animals. We know he will help us reach an even greater audience with our important message of compassion for farm animals.

Top photo: Bob Harper, 2010 Walk for Farm Animals Spokesperson

Change for Chickens (and the Nation)

 
 

by Gene

In Ohio, half a million citizens signed petitions this year to place a measure on the statewide ballot to outlaw veal crates, gestation crates and battery cages. As the deadline to submit those signatures approached last month, agribusiness came to the table and agreed to phase out veal crates and gestation crates and to disallow any new battery cage operations from being constructed in Ohio. The fact that agribusiness leaders agreed to phase out veal crates and gestation crates, and put a moratorium on new battery cage facilities, is significant, indicating that these systems are coming to be widely recognized as unacceptable. Although we weren’t able to achieve a full phase out of battery cages at this time in Ohio, the signatures gathered for the initiative will remain valid and they can be submitted in the future if need be.

It is critical to continue educating consumers and pushing for an end to battery cages. So far, two states, California and Michigan, have passed laws to phase out battery cages, and we expect that number to grow in the coming years. And this week, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill into law that prohibits the sale of eggs from facilities that do not adhere to California’s battery cage ban. California is the nation’s most populated state and it represents a huge market for eggs and other products so banning the sale of battery cage eggs in California is extremely significant and will go a long way toward pushing egg producers to move away from these cruel confinement systems.

Just 10 years ago, there were no laws in the U.S. to outlaw inhumane enclosures like veal crates, gestation crates and battery cages. Today, eight states (Florida, Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, Maine, California, Michigan and Ohio) have taken steps to ban at least one of these cruel systems, and more are sure to follow. Finally, the cruelty of factory farming is being challenged, and changed.

Important Progress for Farm Animals in Ohio

 

by Gene

Over the past year, more than 500,000 Ohio citizens signed a petition aimed at placing an initiative on the statewide ballot this November to ban cruel factory farming practices. Those signatures gathered by tireless volunteers, many of whom were Farm Sanctuary members, were to be submitted this week, kicking off an initiative battle to be waged over the course of the next several months. However, at the eleventh hour, as it became clear that we had enough signatures to make it on the ballot, agribusiness came to the table and an agreement was brokered by Ohio’s Governor Stickland. Here’s what came of the agreement pertaining to farm animals:

• A ban on veal crates, to be phased out within six years, as outlined in the ballot initiative.
• A ban on new gestation crates in the state after December 31, 2010. Existing facilities are grandfathered, but must cease use of these crates within 15 years.
• A permanent moratorium on permits for new battery cage facilities in place immediately.
• A ban on the transport of downed cows and calves for slaughter, as outlined in the ballot initiative.
• A ban on strangulation and other forms of on farm killing that are not included in euthanasia standards as outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association and part of the ballot initiative.
• Enactment of legislation establishing felony-level penalties for cock fighters.

This agreement didn’t accomplish everything we would like, as quickly as we would like, but we will continue raising awareness and actively fighting to ban these intolerably cruel systems. And, if agribusiness doesn’t comply with this agreement, we have the option to go back to the ballot with the 500,000 signatures already gathered.

Ohio has been known for its exceptionally weak animal protection laws and, as the second largest egg producer, it is among the most entrenched factory farming states in the U.S., so these developments are especially important. The moratorium on new egg laying facilities includes putting a stop to plans for a six million hen battery cage operation that was in the final stages of approval. And no less than six new gestation crate facilities were in the works in the state. We have driven a spike into the cogs of factory farming and agribusiness leaders are finally coming to recognize that treating cows, pigs, chickens and other animals as mere production units is inconsistent with popular sentiments.

When citizens speak up, change is inevitable. Agribusiness never would have come to the table had it not been for all the volunteers giving their time and commitment to this cause by gathering signatures and gaining endorsements. We are proud to have stood alongside these volunteers as well as several organizations working toward one common goal to end cruel factory farming practices in Ohio. The movement to protect farm animals is gaining momentum, and the reforms announced this week in Ohio will reverberate in Washington, D.C. and send ripples across the United States.