Animal Rights in Arizona: It's Not About Stall Size
By Kaye Lunsford, United Dairymen of Arizona
Arizona is the target of out-of-state anti-meat activists. Currently, these activists are gathering signatures in order to get an initiative on the November ballot that reads “Pigs during pregnancy and calves raised for veal must be given sufficient space to turn around, lie down, and fully extend their limbs when tethered, or confined in crates, cages and other enclosures.”
Let us be clear, this initiative is not about increasing the size of a stall — it is about putting pork producers out of business as a first step in furthering a vegetarian agenda. Just ask yourself, why are they targeting Arizona when Arizona ranks 27th in the nation for hog production annually and there are no veal producers in the state? If they were really concerned about hog welfare, would they not target states that produce more hogs so they could make a bigger impact?
That is not their strategy. They view Arizona as an easy target to get their animal rights agenda passed. The activists hope that since pork is a small part of Arizona agriculture that the pork producers will not have the support and resources available to defeat the initiative.
It has already happened in Florida. A group called Farm Sanctuary takes credit for a similar ballot measure, which was approved by voters in 2002. This ballot measure granted constitutional rights for pigs and effectively shut down hog farms.
I don’t know about you, but I personally do not think pigs need constitutional rights. Yes, they deserve to be treated humanely and we have plenty of laws on the books that are enforced to ensure this happens. It is in pork producers’ best interest to take care of their animals — it is their moral duty and their livelihood. A well-fed, comfortable sow will be more productive. A clean environment reduces illness and disease. It’s that simple.
The activists are hoping for an emotional reaction; they hope the public will get angry. Well, I am angry. Not at the pork producers but at the activists. Pork producers do treat their animals humanely. So what’s the issue? Where’s the problem? With so many real problems going on in the world, like famine, drought, AIDS, homelessness, poverty, war, etc., why are a handful of people spending millions of dollars to grant pigs constitutional rights?
It bothers me greatly that money which could be spent on relieving some real human suffering is being spent under the false impression of improving the quality of a pig’s life! Pigs in America are already living pretty high on the hog. A pig receives plenty of food and water, air conditioning in the summer and heat during the winter, clean living conditions and medical care. I wish the same could be said for people living in third-world countries.
We have checks and balances in place to ensure that we have the safest and most economical food supply in the world. We do not need a few zealot vegetarians trying to force meat production out of the country and inflicting their meat-free lifestyle onto us.
I respect their right to not eat meat. I do not understand it, but I respect it. I expect the same consideration in return. If they want to raise a hog as a pet, that is fine too. I prefer mine barbequed served with a side of slaw.
Key Words: Animal Rights in Arizona
