In a sweeping call to action, Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, is alerting its national membership to a crisis in congressionally approved cruelty that places the financial interests of agribusiness over the ethical values of the American public.
On Thursday May 24, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock Dairy and Poultry introduced an amendment to the Farm Bill that is radically out of step with national sentiments concerning animal welfare. The amendment grants $12 million to the veal industry, despite the fact that the majority of Americans oppose veal production on moral grounds. According to USDA figures, in the past 20 years veal consumption per person has steadily declined from 1.5 lbs. to only .5 lbs. Congress now expects American tax-payers to foot the bill for this cruel and misguided industry. Farm Sanctuary is calling on its members and the public to contact legislators to oppose the irresponsible and costly addition to the bill.
Farm Sanctuary President, Gene Baur testified before the subcommittee just weeks before the $12 million amendment was added to the bill. Baur was one of two animal advocates invited to speak at the hearing, which was stacked with industrial farming voices, and overtly hostile to animal welfare issues.
Baur addressed the public's growing opposition to factory farming, stating that "industrial practices currently employed in animal agriculture are repugnant to most citizens." Recent polls conducted by the foodservice consultancy Technomic, support Baur's statements, revealing that animal welfare is now ranked as the third greatest social concern among consumers.
"The veal subsidy is a clear example of how the farm bill is working against public sentiment," Baur said. "Our elected officials should be supporting sensible initiatives that will be embraced by the American people, not giving hand outs to an antiquated and cruel industry."
Long considered an unpalatable meat product by American consumers, calves raised for veal are taken from their mothers immediately after birth and raised so as to deliberately induce borderline anemia. Denying calves their basic needs, including access to their mother's milk, to pasture, to exercise, and often, even to any movement at all, leads to the pale-colored flesh for which veal is coveted.
"We've had a tremendous response from citizens on this issue and we expect that response to continue." Baur said. "We're urging members of Congress to make ethical decisions that accurately reflect society's humane values. No creature wants to suffer. No one wants to see gratuitous cruelty prevail."
More information about Farm Sanctuary's No Veal Campaign can be found at www.noveal.org.
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