Letter: Critic of HSUS offers "off-base commentary"

Talk about it

Emily Erickson of New Fashion Pork’s letter to the editor, published Feb. 13, offers some odd and off-base commentary.

First, it’s odd that she equates rescuing homeless animals with production agriculture. One is a charitable contribution to the community, the other is a money-making business. One saves animals’ lives, the other aims to keep animals healthy for the singular purpose of maximizing production and profit.

Secondly, New Fashion Pork confines mother pigs in crates so small they can’t even turn around. Dr. Temple Grandin, a leading advisor to the meat industry, said that gestation crates “have got to go.” And going they are: 40 major food companies and nine U.S. states oppose them.

Erickson can defend pork from pigs confined in gestation crates, but it’s only a matter of time until she won’t have anyone to sell it to. Finally, she mentions “common ground.” She may not believe it, but pork producers do need to develop common ground with consumers and animal advocates. To assert otherwise will only serve to further the perception that the industry is out of touch.

Tags: opinion