Agricultural News
Animal Ag Alliance Analyzes Tactics of Animal Rights Groups
Wed, 02 Dec 2015 17:20:16 CST
There are activist groups that don't like modern production agriculture, specifically animal agriculture. Hannah Thompson of the Animal Ag Alliance works to keep tabs on animal rights groups that don't like how meat is produced in the U.S.
"Obviously their motive is to end animal agriculture and they put a lot of information out there to try to drive consumers toward that mission," Thompson said.
These animals' rights groups, like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and PETA, have gone around the legislative process to make changes in food production by pressuring retailers and restaurants to make changes. Animal Rights groups are also targeting other audiences for support of their cause. One new audience is law enforcement. Thompson said different activist groups have been sponsoring awards and offering training on animal cruelty.
"I think you see why that's problematic to have an animal right's organization telling law enforcement what animal cruelty looks like," Thompson said.
In response, the Animal Ag Alliance is encouraging farmers and ranchers to build relationships with local law enforcement. Thompson said producers can build relationships by inviting law enforcement officials out to the farm. This allows producers the opportunity to show what responsible animal care is, so law enforcement can understand and know what they are looking at.
Activists groups are also targeting religious organizations. For the past decade, many of these groups have had a staff member charged with reaching out to the faith-based community. Thompson said these groups feel if they can convince people it's immoral to eat meat that will really help them in their mission. Recently, HSUS announced a new partnership with Hazon, the leading Jewish sustainability organization in North America. She said this partnership will allow HSUS to provide educational materials for summer camps and this will allow HSUS to teach youth about their views on animals.
A similar situation is being seen locally in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Conference of Churches is siding with HSUS in being against State Question 777. The proposed Right to Farm amendment to the Oklahoma State Constitution will be voted on by the electorate next November.
Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays featured Thompson on the Beef Buzz feature. Click or tap on the LISTEN BAR below to listen to today's Beef Buzz.
To read more about the Animal Ag Alliance, Click Here.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network- but is also a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show- and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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