Building A Better Understanding For Animal Agriculture
By: Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President
Over the past several election cycles the Humane Society of The United States (HSUS) has used the ballot initiative process in successive states to advance their agenda of forcing livestock producers from using protective practices and equipment. Florida, Arizona, California (also Colorado, but instead of going through the ballot process, an alternative approach was selected by agricultural interests to give HSUS what they wanted through the legislative process) each experienced the same outcome.
Next on the list for HSUS – possibly Ohio.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation have announced their plan to launch a Center for Food and Animal Issues.
“Ultimately, our goal is to assure that people who rely on animals, either physically, emotionally or economically have the right to do so,” said Jack Fisher, executive vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau.
The Center will engage farmers, consumers, pet and horse owners, medical researchers, sportsmen and hunters, zoo supporters, hunger advocates, local animal welfare organizations and others.
“People connect to animals in different ways; for sustenance, companionship, entertainment and even contributions to human health,” Fisher said. “The Center will bring together diverse interests to advance shared values.”
Among those values are the beliefs that people should remain free to choose what is the proper use of animals, that all animals should be treated humanely and that decisions about animal care should be made by appropriate parties.
“Animal rights activists are very accomplished at manipulating public opinion,” Fisher said. “They make what sound like simple demands regarding animals when in reality their true goal is to give animals status equal to humans.”
In fighting this war of ideas the challenge will be how to effectively address the emotional appeal with logical answers.
Based on our recent experiences in the Nevada Legislature with pet care issues the zealous animal rights community has a strong network in our state too and their mission extends far greater than what they’ve accomplished so far.
Over the past several election cycles the Humane Society of The United States (HSUS) has used the ballot initiative process in successive states to advance their agenda of forcing livestock producers from using protective practices and equipment. Florida, Arizona, California (also Colorado, but instead of going through the ballot process, an alternative approach was selected by agricultural interests to give HSUS what they wanted through the legislative process) each experienced the same outcome.
Next on the list for HSUS – possibly Ohio.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation have announced their plan to launch a Center for Food and Animal Issues.
“Ultimately, our goal is to assure that people who rely on animals, either physically, emotionally or economically have the right to do so,” said Jack Fisher, executive vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau.
The Center will engage farmers, consumers, pet and horse owners, medical researchers, sportsmen and hunters, zoo supporters, hunger advocates, local animal welfare organizations and others.
“People connect to animals in different ways; for sustenance, companionship, entertainment and even contributions to human health,” Fisher said. “The Center will bring together diverse interests to advance shared values.”
Among those values are the beliefs that people should remain free to choose what is the proper use of animals, that all animals should be treated humanely and that decisions about animal care should be made by appropriate parties.
“Animal rights activists are very accomplished at manipulating public opinion,” Fisher said. “They make what sound like simple demands regarding animals when in reality their true goal is to give animals status equal to humans.”
In fighting this war of ideas the challenge will be how to effectively address the emotional appeal with logical answers.
Based on our recent experiences in the Nevada Legislature with pet care issues the zealous animal rights community has a strong network in our state too and their mission extends far greater than what they’ve accomplished so far.
Posted by Doug Busselman at 5/12/2009 1:26 PM 
Categories: Agriculture
Tags: Animal Rights Center For Food and Animal Issues Human Society of the US
Categories: Agriculture
Tags: Animal Rights Center For Food and Animal Issues Human Society of the US
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