The Citizen, 1991-09-04, Page 13Animal welfare far more
complicated than it looks
Do you think it's right that humans use animals for experimentation
food, clothing, and a host of other products that have made our lives so
much easier? Your answer will quickly indicate which side of a very
important issue you're on. Debate on animal welfare and man's
exploitation of animals is becoming front page news more often lately, and
farmers, particularly livestock producers, are fast finding themselves in the
centre of the controversy.
Throughout history, humans have also been part of the food chain, both
devouring meat from other animals, and until not too long ago, being
devoured themselves by other animals. In fact, it's probably safe to say,
that man's progress can be measured on the backs of animals, whether it's a
warm fur coat used by peoples of northern latitudes to protect themselves
from harsh winters,or the humble donkey on whose back our Lord rode
into Jerusalem.
But lately, discussion has heated up as people from animal welfare
groups oppose man's domination of animals, and contend that animals
have feelings and rights just like humans. One group, concerned with
welfare, says that animals have inherent interests and deserve better than to
be used by humans. They can suffer, so people have an obligation to
prevent, or at least reduce, some of the suffering. Another more militant
group of proponents insist that animals, just like humans, not only have
interests, but rights, and humans have a moral obligation to treat animals
the same as they would treat people. Although the two groups have little
in common, they do agree on one thing— they're against using animals for
food or fur.
But like many issues, it's not a cut and dried, black and white issue. Our
use of animals is so wide-spread in our society in so many thousands of
ways, that shunning meat and becoming a vegetarian, for instance, would
not end your dependence on animals. Proof is evident at a travelling
exhibit — called "the Fifth Quarter — which is set up at the Western Fair
which runs from September 6 to 15. It shows that in addition to
hamburgers and pork chops, animals provide many lifesaving drugs and
health products such as insulin adrenaline, thyroid tablets, vitamins, heart
valves, pigskin for bum victims, and countless medications that relieve
suffering and save countless millions of lives around the world. If you live
in a house, watch televisions, talk on the phone, drive a care, shave,
operate a computer or wear clothing, you are dependent on animal
products, the exhibit points out. Glands, organs, tissues, blood, bone, hide
and hair are used to produce detergents, pesticides, flotation agents,
chemicals, plastics, lubricants, fire extinguishers, tinplate, galvanized, and
even high grade steel. The very tires on your car use chemicals made from
animal fat used for the vulcanization and moulding of these and other
rubber products. And of course, what would football, baseball, tennis, golf,
hockey and polo be like without animal by-products?
The problem for farmers and other people in the animal industry is they
may have waited too long to put their side of the story across, and the
animal rights people have succeeded so well in getting their story across to
the public through marches and propaganda that they have been successful
in making it into a major political issue. This in turn forces politicians to
introduce legislation that farmers, with their small numbers, may find
impossible to slop, even through expensive court challenges. Just look the
success the anti-fur lobby in Europe had in shutting down the Canadian
east coast sea hunt. In Britain, animal welfarisls have been successful in
halting veal production in that country, but ironically not consumption.
Now British calves are shipped to France, raised to veal weight,
slaughtered, and shipped back to England as packaged meat!
What's even more frightening is it’s getting closer to home. Ontario's
NDP government, while in opposition, tried to introduce two new pieces
of legislation that would have severely restricted farmers' ability to raise
livestock in confinement. The bills were defeated by the then Liberal
government, but now that the radical idealists are in charge in Queen's
Continued on page page 15
NISA info
meeting
Monday
Farmers are invited to an
information meeting on the recently
announced NISA program. The
meeting is to be held on Monday
September 9, 8:00 p.m. at the
Goderich Township Community
Centre, Holmesville.
Terry Daynard from the Ontario
Com Producers' Association, will
be the guest speaker. Other experts
will be on hand to answer questions
and assist producers in completing
forms. Producers are encouraged
to bring the forms and information
they received on the program to the
meeting.
Further information on the
meeting may be obtained from the
Federation of Agriculure in
Vanastra (482-9642) or from the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture &
Food Office in Clinton (482-3428
or 1-800-265-5170).
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4,1991. PAGE 13.
/c5^p\ SEEDCORN
PLOT TOUR
Please accept this as your
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Belgrave/Auburn Seed Corn
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LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED
A
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THURSDAYS
FRIDAYS
11 a.m. Slaughter Cattle
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11 a.m. Veal, Goats,
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10:30 a.m. Pigs
1 p.m. Stockers
Remember the Farmer’s
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Hamburg
$1.29 /lb.
Potatoes
$1.50/10 lb.
Brownies
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LOCATION: SCHULTZ
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TIME: 10:30-2:00
DATE: SEPT. 10,1991
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