|
|
Ohio truce with HSUS will reveal social truth about animal agricultureBeing part of a failed agreement haunts us forever. Being part of an agreement that succeeds is soon forgotten. As humans, the ability to negotiate is our greatest strength. Think about it--all the national borders and state boundaries were set by negotiation. All the laws that govern our nation are the result of multiple sides agreeing on the final bills. Animals mark turf and defend it to the death, but we have the brainpower to attempt complex negotiations with wary adversaries in an attempt to keep the peace and advance a civilized society. Our government was founded on these principles, and our greatest advancements have come from the give and take of a political tug of war. The attempt by Ohio agricultural groups to make peace with The Humane Society of the United States may wind up as an indelible stamp of failure, but I have to give them credit for trying. Above all else, the agreement will reveal more of the agenda of the HSUS and how aggressive they will be in carrying out their mission of requiring more humane care of farm animals. Ohio, far away as it may seem from the Plains states, is a much better place to hash out animal agriculture policy than California. The farms are relatively small with moderate density of population statewide. The people, in my experience, have the same values as the farmers and livestock producers in the middle of the country. Cincinnati was the center of our national population in 1895, so we have a strong ancestral bond with these eastern cousins. Ohio's track record is to deal with problems head-on and do so in a transparent and honest fashion. I recall doing an AgriTalk program with Fred Daily, who served as the Ohio Agriculture Commissioner for 16 years. His agency went after those who were cheating at livestock shows by using illegal drugs to increase muscling in their meat animals. The Ohio Department of Agriculture prosecuted and convicted several people who then spent a sizable amount of time in prison. Other states looked the other way at similar offenses or only offered verbal criticism of the practices, while Ohio sent the perpetrators up the river. The big question is whether the HSUS can be trusted. Is it possible to deal with an entity that seems to have multiple personalities? When you hear a speech by Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president, you will be assured that they are progressive and pragmatic in their approach to improving the welfare of animals. However, watching their actions and following their state and federal agenda brings fear that they are vegan zealots who will not stop until there are no meat-eating humans left on Earth. Animal agriculture is definitely threatened by this organization, and the agreement in Ohio is viewed by many as appeasement. Both sides of the deal between Ohio Animal Agriculture and the HSUS are minimally defined. The livestock organizations within the group say that they will stop the construction of new gestation stalls for sows, place a moratorium on conventional cages for poultry and ban all transportation for slaughter of "downer" cows. In return, HSUS will not pursue a ballot initiative to accomplish the same in the state this fall. Is this a deal with the devil? Will it be the agricultural equivalent of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain signing a peace treaty with Germany's Adolph Hitler, in 1938? See how we remember the bad? Inherently, we are afraid of change. For livestock producers, who see themselves as stewards of animal husbandry and fully responsible for the care of their charges, this is an uncertain and unfulfilling time. Those who have no financial interest in their industry have gained the moral high ground and are attempting to impose regulations while diminishing the demand for animal products. The good that has come from this encounter is awareness. Agriculture is a big business, but it is small in the number of people who actively raise livestock. Most owners just want to do their job as breeders, feeders, and supporting the industry. They have a minimal appetite for politics and confrontation. The HSUS has charged in and changed all the rules of engagement. With the political power of the HSUS, states with a large metropolitan population are likely to follow the lead of California and Arizona and pass laws that will realign the way in which livestock are produced, especially those that are confined. This means that the poultry, pork and dairy industries will be required to face a new reality. Few who raise livestock were expecting social pressure to become regulation, and ultimately to have an animal welfare movement become the means of their demise. Now they are paying close attention and aligning themselves with like-minded producers. The big players in the livestock industry appear to be funding and encouraging groups to nip at the HSUS, so the truth about both sides is going to be distorted. The situation in Ohio also has its political nuances, which go all the way to the governor's office. At this time, the decision by Ohio animal agriculture interests is being second-guessed by the rest of the country. I give them credit for trying something other than drawing a line and putting all their funds and fight into protecting the status quo. No matter what happens there, it will be watched closely. Witnessing and learning from the process of social change may be the best outcome that we can expect. Editor's Note: Ken Root is an independent agricultural journalist. He was named the 2009 Farm Broadcaster of the Year and was the 2008 winner of the Oscar in Agriculture. He is an Oklahoma native and an experienced print, radio and television journalist. He has spent the last five years as Lead Farm Broadcaster at WHO Radio in Des Moines, Iowa. He and his wife Gail have two adult children and two grandchildren.
1
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
