Cyndi's Two Cents

Disconcerting alliances in animal ag

Commentary.

I often tell our competitors in agricultural media that there might not be a reason to work together, but there’s never a reason we shouldn’t talk about it.  Usually when I see a couple of former enemies become friends, my heart sings a bit.  The liaisons I’ve seen lately are more likely to make my heart sink than sing.

Attorneys with Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recently filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on behalf of the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM.)  The lawsuit seeks the release of documents related to two OIG audits of the beef checkoff and its contractors.

There have been a couple of full audits and several random audits by USDA and in each case, the audits show that the contractors are in full compliance with the laws protecting checkoff funds from being misappropriated.  But that’s not the point of my article.  I don’t understand why any organization that is fighting for a fair playing field for those who raise livestock would partner with an organization that promotes a meat-free society and the demise of animal agriculture in this country.

Years ago, a farmer from southern Illinois called to tell me that he was joining forces with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) because PETA was against “Big Ag.”  This farmer had raised hogs for decades but when “the corporates moved in” he was forced out of business.  I believe the farmer would have been much better off to team up with like-minded individuals and groups whose core beliefs about animal agriculture were in line with his.

Like politics, desperation makes strange bedfellows.

We learned earlier this month that Tyson Foods, the nation’s largest meat processor, has invested in a company that makes so-called “meat alternatives” from plant protein sources like soy and peas.  Tyson has taken a 5% ownership in Beyond Meat, a California-based company which also lists HSUS as an investor.

Asked about HSUS’s involvement in Beyond Meat, Tyson says its investment “is not based on who else is investing, it’s about providing consumers more options. There is increased demand for all kinds of protein and this is one way for us to meet that demand.”

Calling Tyson’s investment “beyond amazing news”  Wayne Pacelle, CEO and President of HSUS wrote “And with this new partnership, the leaders of Beyond Meat can leverage Tyson’s knowledge to distribute and market its new Beyond Burger and other plant-based proteins that look and taste like meat. That’s a material advance for animals, since fewer of them may be raised for slaughter. Consumers will be better off eating healthier foods, businesses will see brisk sales of a range of products, and more animals will be spared the torments of the feedlot or slaughter plant.”

“With long-time adversaries like Tyson and The HSUS both putting money into the same company, you know that there’s an interesting business model in operation. The best is yet to come in the new, emerging humane economy, and the latest case example is the rather startling investment by Tyson in Beyond Meat.”

Strange bedfellows indeed.