Producer Applications Committee
Animal Care Issues Are Here to Stay
COLUMBIA, Mo. (June 29, 2010) — Historically, our culture has perceived humans as having greater value than animals, and animals have been valued for their usefulness to humans. The focus of animal husbandry was the animals’ physical well-being – their health and performance. According to University of Missouri Extension Veterinarian Craig Payne, things are different now. Speaking during the 2010 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) research symposium, Payne said the cultural perspective regarding animal welfare is changing, and cattle producers will have to deal with it.
In a presentation delivered to the Producer Applications Committee break-out session, Payne said philosophers and special interest groups are trying to establish a new cultural narrative. Society is receptive because a vast majority of its members view animals through the eyes of pet owners.
“According to the old view of animal welfare, humans could utilize animals as long as they tended to their physical needs. But the old view no longer resonates with the American public. Now there is growing concern for animals’ emotional state and social well-being,” Payne said.
“Some consumers have already demonstrated that they will vote to regulate animal production practices. But I don’t think it has to be that way. Many consumers would be satisfied if the livestock industry addresses their concerns. We can still influence public perception.”
Payne noted the recent formation of the North American Food Animal Well-Being Commission, consisting of veterinarians, animal welfare specialists and animal scientists, which will direct research related to cattle well-being to provide science-based guidelines for animal husbandry. The Commission will focus on areas where the industry is most vulnerable, including environmental conditions, painful procedures, animal transport and handling techniques. (Click here to see API's coverage of the 2010 International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare, the venue in which the commission was announced.)
“I urge producers to keep an open mind, engage consumers and communicate with them, continually seek to improve animal well-being and be proud of what you do,” Payne said.
Themed "Gateway to Profit," the 2010 BIF Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting was hosted by BIF June 28-July 1 in Columbia.
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