Thinking Intelligently About Animal Agriculture What is the difference between animal rights and animal welfare?

And now, from the experts…  Animal rights, as defined by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (largest animal rights organization in the world)  “ People who support animal rights believe that animals are not ours to use for food, clothing, entertainment, experimentation, or any other purpose and that animals deserve consideration of their best interests regardless … regardless of whether any human cares about them at all. ”

On the flipside  The American Veterinary Medical Association (on the website of the Animal Welfare Council) says:  “Animal Welfare is a human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, humane handling, and, when necessary, humane euthanasia.”

So what does this mean? Which is more practical for livestock producers to strive for, animal rights or animal welfare?

Values Related to Animal Use and Care Are Diverse Animal Exploitation (animals are our absolute property) Animal Use (animals exist for our responsible use…our needs trump theirs) Animal Control (responsible use = enforcement of laws) Animal Welfare (duty to ensure animals are treated kindly) Animal Rights (intrinsic rights that must be guaranteed) Animal Liberation (eliminate all types of animal use) As derived from Katherine B. Morgan, Community Animal Control, Kansas City, MO Q

Five Freedoms  Ideal welfare = five conditions met (Farm Animal Welfare Council)  Freedom from hunger and thirst  Freedom from discomfort  Freedom from pain, injury, and disease  Freedom to express ‘normal’ behavior  Freedom from fear and distress  Generally not possible to fulfill all five simultaneously

Dairy  Controversy- rBGH  Dairy cattle are often given doses of rBGH to increase their efficiency, but rBGH is unhealthy.  Reality- Dairy cows are already naturally produce rBGH, and it has not been shown to cause any sort of harm.

Beef  Controversy- implants  Beef producers sometimes implant cattle with hormones to help them grow faster. Consumers are afraid there are harmful consequences.  Reality- no scientific evidence exists that links hormone implants with disease.

Test your knowledge  Statements to categorize:  1. Providing enough feed and water to your cat.  2. Not eating meat because you think it is cruel to raise cows for food.  3. Releasing dogs from a shelter to keep them from being euthanized.  4. Calling your vet when you think your lamb is sick.