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Another view in the animal welfare debate
It’s the central issue in the ongoing battle between livestock producers and those who advocate for improvements in animal welfare—or, in extreme cases—animal rights.
Do animals need or deserve more than the basics of food, water and shelter—should they also be given adequate space for exercise and social activities?
Purdue University animal scientist Dr. Candace Croney is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts on animal learning and welfare. Croney admits it’s a very complex and emotional issue, but she says there’s no question that animals do care how they are treated.
“The very fact that they are sentient beings means that how they’re treated matters to them,” Croney says, “and, so, one of the things we look at in scientific terms is, how do we ask the animals–what’s particularly important to you?
“Do we have ways to do that? Absolutely. Do we have ways of looking at animals that are well- fed and well cared for in terms of meeting their physical demands, and understanding that there may be something else going on with them? Absolutely.”
Some livestock producers contend that they know what’s best for their animals—and they point to continued production increases as evidence that their animals are content.
But Croney says that argument may be losing steam, “I do think ranchers and farmers know what they’re doing and are experts on animal care,” she says. “Expertise on animal care doesn’t necessarily mean that you understand fully ALL of the factors that go into animal welfare–and that includes thinking about, not just the biological needs of the animals, but their behavioral needs–and to also think about why this matters to people who aren’t involved in the business.”
Croney says, like it or not, issues surrounding animal welfare in food production are not going to go away.
“It’s a fair concern to ask whether or not we’ve gone too far in some of our production practices–and I think you’re seeing that playing out in many of the debates you’re seeing publicly and also in academia right now.”
Croney serves as a scientific advisor on animal welfare to several organizations, including the National Pork Producers Council and National Pork Board, the Animal Agriculture Alliance, the American Humane Association and Bob Evans Farms.
Croney made her comments in an interview with Brownfield during a University of Nebraska Extension program on animal welfare issues.
AUDIO: Candace Croney (12:52 MP3)
Not losing. SURRENDERING!!!!