Okay, now everyone who is interested, look at these factory farmed pig photos and tell me if you think it is possible to get a good idea about the reality of factory farming from sites like this (there are many more on the web, from all kinds of organizations). Please look at all the photos, all the way to the bottom.
all-creatures.org
The demand for organic products is growing very fast, Oral. I am quite sure that this is a trend starting in cities, where people tend to have different ideas of animal welfare than farm folk do. But as I think I mentioned before here, 24% of American college students in a survey wanted vegan or vegetarian cafeteria options at their dorms. Lots of teenagers turn vegetarian, as well. More Americans care about these issues every year.
It is a myth that all meat animals are well cared for because if they weren't, factory farmers wouldn't make profits. The death rate is simply factored in to the equation. It is still a lot more economical to stuff 50 birds in a tiny cage, for example, even if some of them die.
I have read several serious books about factory farming, and saw a full-length film (Peaceable Kingdom). You don't have to be a farmer to know cruelty when you see it, and there are literally thousands and thousands of very clear photographs of animal cruelty at factory farms on the web. Factory farming is a secret--I live near the countryside and have never ever heard of any factory farm tours available. There are farm sanctuaries nearby where people can help take care of rescued farm animals, though.
I do not hold you personally responsible for factory farming. I welcome farmers here because I think it makes the debate interesting. At the same time, my knowledge of factory farming is not fantasy based. Why do you think the European governments are creating laws prohibiting factory farming? Do you think it is because it does not exist? Does that make any sense to you? It doesn't to me.
I like having you here. I'm not sure why we can't just agree to disagree on this, and talk about other things. You come from a culture that looks on this whole subject in an entirely different way. I'm just betting that over time more people will come to see it my way. The animal rights movement is extremely active, and having more successes all the time. |
