How we Treat the Animals we Eat

On October 14, 2008 Oprah aired a show titled “How we Treat the Animals we Eat” with millions of viewers tuned in, if anyone can change the way farm animals are treated it is Oprah. However, there is two possible outcomes off this show.

1. Consumers will realize a change is needed, and be willing to pay more for products raised in a welfare friendly system
2. The show will negatively impact agriculture with consumers refusing to purchase meat from grocery stores etc.

These two outcomes are at the far end of each spectrum, however i am glad Oprah did a show on Animal Welfare, and although Canadian Agriculture is minuscule when compared to American agriculture there are similarities between the two. Oprah, did this show because in November, voters in California will vote on Proposition 2. A referendum question which seeks to increase cage sizes for laying hens, sows and veal calves. The new regulations, which would go into effect in 2015, would require cages to be large enough to allow these animals to be able to stand up, lie down, turn around and to be able to fully extend their limbs without touching the side of an enclosure or other egg-laying hens.

During the Oprah show, it was interesting to see the reaction from Julie Buckner, who represents Californians for Safe Food. This organization opposes Proposition 2.

Certainly the egg industry in California will be wiped out,” she says. “And in all likelihood, eggs will come from outside the U.S.—Mexico, even overseas as far as China

she also, talks about the limiting availability of space needed to raise large amounts of livestock, she also points out that consumers have the choice currently to buy products from welfare friendly farms, or to buy the cheap conventional product, which would be taken away from the consumer if Proposition 2 is passed.

I am split, I think the government of California needs to make an incentive for farmers to change current methods of production in order to allow a gradual change in housing for livestock. This would allow both consumers and producers to slowly adjust to the changes in their industry. I also think the government needs to include in the regulation, that no eggs can be imported from a country who does not share the same strict housing conditions as California to sell their eggs in the state. Proposition 2 would increase welfare conditions in California, however it would have a leap frog affect encouraging cheap production of products from other states, or countries. This would totally Vito the movement for California to sell/produce animal welfare friendly products. (click here to see the Oprah Article)

Here is an excellent informative video on both sides of Proposition 2, (it’s long)

and here is an example of a not so educational video from you tube with 180,000 hits vs. the previous but much more informative video with just 500 hits.

There was an excellent write up of this issue in the Ontario Magazine, Better Farming (can be seen here)

With the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, a new but Old Canadian Government and a
completely new American Government fast approaching us, North America seriously needs to realize the importance of Agriculture and everything it encompasses, from water to paper, fishing to milk and everything else in between Agriculture has long been put on the back burner, however with issues such as animal welfare, water conservation and food production we must all continue to educate others and ourselves on these important issues to make the best decisions for not only today….but for tomorrow.

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