by Angela Bowman, Associate Editor, PORK Network
The Humane Society of the United States’ (HSUS) newly formed National Agriculture Advisory Council may include eight farmers and ranchers, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have an agenda.
According to the group, the council was formed after the group established 11 state agriculture advisory councils in the past four years.
When asked to clarify the goal of the council, Midge Grinstead, who is the HSUS Kansas state director, told PORK Network the council will “work to promote farming and ranching practices that adhere to higher animal welfare standards as the foundation of economic vibrancy in rural communities. We hope to bring more awareness to the dangers of factory farming and show consumers they have more options when it comes to purchasing agriculture products.”
The industry, however, isn’t buying it.
Dave Warner, communication director with the National Pork Producers Council, pointed out the agricultural industry already does what the HSUS’ advisory council wants to do.
“A number of national and state farm organizations – including the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance and the Animal Agriculture Alliance – already exist and are working with farmers to identify areas of improvement in all aspects of livestock production,” Warner told PORK Network. “A group whose goal is to reduce the consumption of meat cannot and does not represent the best interests of America’s family livestock farmers.”
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Source: Pork Network
