When Big Ag first started pushing ag-gag laws, which make it
illegal to document animal abuse at factory farms and slaughterhouses, media
outlets and animal welfare experts across the country cried foul.
illegal to document animal abuse at factory farms and slaughterhouses, media
outlets and animal welfare experts across the country cried foul.
Dr. Temple Grandin, a respected meat industry advisor and
animal welfare expert, said it’s “the stupidest thing that ag ever
did.”
animal welfare expert, said it’s “the stupidest thing that ag ever
did.”
Now, a new study
aptly titled “Awareness of ag-gag laws erodes trust in farmers and increases
support for animal welfare regulations has proven what many people suspected
all along: Ag-gag laws make people wonder what factory farmers are trying so
desperately to hide.
aptly titled “Awareness of ag-gag laws erodes trust in farmers and increases
support for animal welfare regulations has proven what many people suspected
all along: Ag-gag laws make people wonder what factory farmers are trying so
desperately to hide.
According to the study, people go from trusting farmers to
distrusting them when they learn about ag-gag laws, and this decreased trust
does not vary across major demographics.
distrusting them when they learn about ag-gag laws, and this decreased trust
does not vary across major demographics.
Whether a republican, democrat, or independent, and whether
a resident of an urban or a suburban or rural environment, study participants
reported distrust of farmers after reading about ag-gag laws.
a resident of an urban or a suburban or rural environment, study participants
reported distrust of farmers after reading about ag-gag laws.
Not surprisingly, the study notes that prior to learning
about ag-gag laws, omnivores reported more trust in farmers than did vegetarians.
Additionally, after learning about ag-gag laws, omnivores went from trusting
farmers to distrusting them even more so than vegetarians who had not read
about the law.
about ag-gag laws, omnivores reported more trust in farmers than did vegetarians.
Additionally, after learning about ag-gag laws, omnivores went from trusting
farmers to distrusting them even more so than vegetarians who had not read
about the law.
Finally, the study indicates that learning about ag gag “reduced
perceptions of farm animal welfare … increased support for stricter laws
protecting farm animals … and, interestingly, decreased the perception that
farmers do a good job of protecting the environment.
perceptions of farm animal welfare … increased support for stricter laws
protecting farm animals … and, interestingly, decreased the perception that
farmers do a good job of protecting the environment.
All this means is that factory farmers are in a no-win situation. They either
let people see how badly they treat animals and lose the public’s trust, or
they attempt to hide their cruel practices and lose the public’s trust.
Of course, these farmers could listen to the growing demand
for great-tasting and healthy vegan alternatives to meat, dairy, and eggs and
actually start farming foods that don’t make people recoil in horror when they
find out how they’re produced.
for great-tasting and healthy vegan alternatives to meat, dairy, and eggs and
actually start farming foods that don’t make people recoil in horror when they
find out how they’re produced.
Time to rethink your diet? We got you covered. Visit ChooseVeg.com for tips and recipes.
