PETA

[Muttley]

I sometimes wonder if some of these "nuts" really believe what they are saying anyway. Maybe they just got a job to do and do not care if they tell a few untrue stories along the way to help the cause.

[crazeeakerz]

The PETA group as most people know is an organization with no morals or common sense. Educating the public is a costly and time consuming occupation and these fanatics have the money and the time it seems to pull silly stunts to gain public attention. It is dangerous to let such organizations off the hook too easily.
A number of years ago we ran a vacation farm and one of the features of our place was to invite schools to bring their students to the farm. Our farm didn't have exotic animals, but the ordinary cows, pigs, chicken, etc. We felt these children left after a day getting to know the animals and what they are used for that farming and livestock production was a necessary part of life.
The biggest problem farmers face in educating the public is a lack of concern or interest by the media giants. I think of the CBC, CTV, large daily newspapers, etc. If someone could find a way to get the message through to these people, PETA and other such wing nuts would'nt have such an easy time of speaking out with lies and misinformation.

[ianben]

In the UK this week we have had a TV program which followed the life of a calf from birth to slaughter. You saw it born on a dairy farm and followed the life of the farmer for a few days. He was selling up because he was loosing money. They named the calf Lulu you saw it sold at auction to a rearer, again you followed the life of the farmer, a tenant farmer struggling to pay the bills and cope with F&M last year. Another farmer bought her to finish her and again the real facts and problems were shown, and we had all become quite attached to Lulu even though they did keep telling us she was a beef cow.
So what happened next?
We saw Lulu loaded up taken to the slaughter house loaded in the stun crate, shot, throat cut, blood pour out, skinned and butchered, put in the roasting tin, cooked and eaten. They even got the people who ate her to say how good she tasted.
The whole program was the truth and showed farmers in the best possible light. The ending was horrific and would only create more vegetarians.
We eat beef not cows pork not hog or pig. You are the guys who call **** canola good PR. Showing the public a happy animal and telling them it will taste good next week is something I fine difficult to see.
I believe PR is a profession just like stock detectives.
The best way to counter these people is to hire a professioal who knows how to focus on the good points.
We don't over here either but when farmers respond or partisipate in a program like Lulu it is usually counter productive.
Cowman could have the solution again pay a levy and hire the man for the job.

[Muttley]

I was searching for some info on livestock and found the PETA file (no pun intended)
www.peta-online.org/
You just won't believe the crap that is on this site. I'm sure there is some info on it that is quite true but many comments were crap.
Read this one.

They(PETA) were told that last year a employee of J.C.Penney portrait studio's witnessed rabbit's falling to the floor from the laps and arms of children and that many of the animals died.

I just can't believe this, stories like this are all over the site.
Everyone should go to this site for a look.

[countryguy]

Last night I sent these people an e-mail to start a campaign to put a ban against having pets in cities.I informed them that it was unethical to have dogs on chains all day and birds which are supposed to be flying free in cages all their lives.Can't wait to see what they say about that!!

[boss]

Tactics to counter groups like PETA:
-position yourself as the defender of the public's rights
-messages must be designed for specific audiences
-must let the audience know what they could loose if PETA prevailed
-don't bother trying to change the mind of the committed - they are inflexible and extreme

[rodbradshaw]

Deb
I was horrified to read about the pig farmer in you thread. I agree with cowman, this is a psychopath and should loose the rights to have animals including pets.
One idead that I disagree with you on is the use of the term Factory Farms. This is a PETA and Sierra Club term that is demeaning to agriculture. They coined this phrase to put animal agriculture in a poor light. If we use the term, we are giving credence to their cause. The other part of the discussion should be that if the farmer had been able to make a profit from his efforts we may not have seen the move to these large farming units but since the consumer wont pay , the industry has had to do something to remain in business. The other thing that is forcing these larger operations is FOOD SAFETY issues and the cost of tracibility for our food chain.

One last comment, I remember going to University some 20 years ago and seeing a beautiful Irish Red Setter tied to the railing of one of the buildings. It was about the same weather as we have now (-20) and this poor dog had to sit their for at least 50 minutes or more. Their was a bunch of us who discussed it later and we sure would have like to seen the owner stripped down and tied to the railing and see how they felt. I agree with countryguy most city people should not have pets as they don't understand how to care for their needs.
Rod
P.S. The trial in the U.S. may have an effect on what kind of animals people keep.

[bombay_43]

I believe we need to use another approach with this problem. Possibly use these animal activists to further our own cause.

Point out the fact that many animals that obviously need to be put down due to injuries, disease, etc. are now being clubbed to death, because farmers can't own guns!

Maybe THEY will expend their energies on lobbying the government to allow farmers to carry guns again!

[redhen]

Hi Deb, and some of my friends from the egg discussion )

Is anyone aware that the Alberta SPCA has an award for humane treatment of farm animals? They couldn't do it last year, but hope to resume in 2002.

For the SPCA to have such an award available indicates that there are still some concerns about livestock welfare in general.

Take heart, Deb! I believe very strongly in the small mixed farm as an important part of Canada's future. We need to find ways to make the land we farm more productive. To do this, we may see a shift towards more poultry consumption, since the grain and water required per pound of table poultry is far less than for a pound of pork or beef. Those are the facts, plain and simple. Our planet isn't growing in size, but our population is.

If the drought in Alberta continues, we may need to be even more creative. Years ago, I read about someone in the southern US who was raising Iguanas for human consumption. They are well-suited to southern Alberta's dry climate and are reported to have a flavour and texture much like chicken.

As for PETA, they are extreme, but they are indeed the balance to the unspeakable acts of cruelty committed by disturbed individuals or groups. For all their lofty ideals (that we shouldn't have "pets" for example) and sensationalised reports, there are some seeds of truth in their general philosophies.

We do tend to think of animals as "parts" of the entire farming and ranching process. Anyone who has worked intimately with one or two from a herd will soon see individual personalities emerging. We need to remember that as we raise them. They are not "7 of 9" in a cattle collective. They are individual and unique.

Currently we have three hens in our home, one born without a hip, one recovering miraculously from a compound leg fracture and extreme frost damage to her foot (accidentally caught in a barn door) and another who is recovering from "stroke" symptoms.

All of these birds have been examined by our vet, and each one of them has a distinct personality. They all have different sounds and "phrases" when they respond to us. They like different foods. One follows me around like a puppy, complete with wagging tail, and puts herself to bed each night in a cardboard box lined with shavings.

As far as possible, I believe it is important to honour the creatures we raise. That doesn't mean bestowing them with human qualities. It means honouring their individual rights and needs. It means facilitating their health and contentment.

And occasionally it means breaking all the rules of "traditional" farming and opening our eyes to new possibilities.

blessings, Elisabeth

[Deb]

Whew! Thanks Redhen.