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Animal welfare issues are driving change
The vice president of animal well-being for Tyson Foods, Dean Danilson, says farm animal welfare issues will continue to be “a driver for change” in the industry.
“More consumers are becoming aware of animal welfare issues, which are increasingly becoming factors in their purchasing decisions,” Danilson says, “and consumers want to know more about how food is produced—but they aren’t sure where to go for accurate information.”
But Danilson says, at the same time, studies have shown that consumers aren’t interested in hearing science-based arguments.
“Consumers are overwhelmed with studies and facts—they don’t know what to believe,” he says. “In our industry, we use scientific- and experience-based language, (but) it doesn’t resonate with consumers—with the moms in New York City.
“The food industry says ‘here’s the reality of pig farming’—the consumer hears ‘you’re speaking down to me and ignoring my very real concerns’.”
So, Danilson says, the industry must continually ask itself, “Is there a better way to do things?”
“Is what we do today the best and the right thing for sustained animal agriculture—and for the welfare of the animal? Is what was good yesterday mean that it is good for today or good for tomorrow? And we must always ask ourselves, individually and professionally–is there a better way?”
Danilson spoke at the Iowa Farm Bureau Economic Summit in Ames.
Tags: animal welfare, Livestock, Tyson
In response to you’re comment “Is what we do today the best and the right thing for sustained animal agriculture—and for the welfare of the animal? Is what was good yesterday mean that it is good for today or good for tomorrow? And we must always ask ourselves, individually and professionally–is there a better way?” There is always a better way.
The industry will never change, the suffering will continue, the beatings will continue, the exploitation will continue and the reason why is all in the name of PROFIT. I dont understand how the suffering and confinement of any animal is tolerated so freely but we seem to always look down upon the group “Mercy for Animals” when they go undercover and bring forth to the media behinds the scenes of the industry. I totally support this organization and any other group that will continue to not be silent.