I would like to specially thank Gene Baur for promoting HR 4733 in his blog. As a result, I have sent this letter to my representative. And Baur still hasn't posted my response to his blog the other week.
Dear Pat Tiberi,
Thank you for your continued support of agriculture and the farmers in the Delaware County area. Your presence at local fairs and your representation of our interests are greatly appreciated.
I was recently made aware of a radical legislative effort by animal protection groups to require the US government to "lead by example" in the purchase of only those animals which are certified to be raised humane. After reading HR 4733, it is apparent that this legislation is the same type of non-scientific, emotional and irresponsible legislation pushed on US farmers to control the method in which livestock is produced to feed the world.
US farmers are conscientious and caring about their livestock both out of ethical obligation and good will, but also out of interest for their own source of income. Care standards among farmers are scientifically based and should not be forced upon farmers by outside special-interest groups which have no interest in feeding America with animal products in the first place. This is a piece of legislation that does not belong in the US Congress and when I was requested to contact you in order to support the bill, I did the exact opposite because I believe that this issue should be both industry and consumer regulated while scientifically based. Please make sure that this bill is not passed.
Thank you,
Benjamin Wenner
Benjamin, if the food industry was so conscientious as you say about the welfare of farm animals, this bill would not exist. I don't see anything emotional about a set of common sense measures to ensure animals are protected on large scale industrial farm operations. I don't think you need to be a farmer or a vet or any other specialty to arrive at this basic conclusion. Instead of fighting this bill, the industry should be embracing it as a way to connect with and address consumer concerns.
ReplyDeleteIt's not this bill that is "extreme." On the contrary. It is the industry that has gone to extreme measures to increase their profits at the expense of animal welfare. Do you believe that battery cages that are no larger than the size of an adult hen or gestation crates or veal crates are not extreme forms of animal husbandry? This is not farming. It is outright exploitation driven by a perverse form of corporate greed. This law is not only necessary, it is just one modest step in the right direction, and I might add, a direction which is being mandated by growing public concern.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteI assume there's only one of you. I appreciate your comments, but without return contact info listed and limited space to respond in this box, I have instead reposted my reply today. Thanks for reading!