Pig Farming Under Potential Imminent Attack in the UK
The National Pig association via the Farmer's Weekly publication has issued a warning for the UK pig farming industry.
According to the National Pig Association, the group known as "Animal Rising" formerly "Animal Rebellion" is certainly in the process of information gathering and covert surveillance of pig farms and abattoirs in the UK, with the ultimate goal of bringing all livestock farming to an end*. Essentially, the are trying to imply that many producers contravene required practices.
99.9% of UK pig farms conform to all necessary "Red Tractor" guidelines. In the UK, livestock farming is already a very tightly controlled sector (as is agriculture in general). In fact, it could be argued that Britain is already a world leader in farming, animal husbandry and animal welfare.
Bearing that fact in mind, one could argue that there are ulterior motives being effected here, possibly the overall demise of the meat industry in leu of the vegan approach. Currently there is little empirical evidence either way to suggest that one trumps the other in terms of a) dietary benefits b) societal benefits c) environmental benefits. Is this just another case of a relatively fringe group such as Animal Rising trying to dictate what the nation produces and eats, regardless of the wants of the nation?
Some interesting counter points:
1) Animal farming, for the most part makes use of marginal grounds which wouldn't be suitable for crop growing.
2) Certain vitamins and nutrients found in red meat can not be or can not easily be replicated within a vegan diet.
3) Animal farming is labour intense compared with arable farming therefore creates more job opportunities.
4) Animal farming improves the condition of the soil and reduces topsoil erosion.
5) Animal farming is sustainable.
Photo courtesy of Mattias Zomer
*According to Farming Weekly - This in contradiction to the group's (AR's) official "raison d'etre" of "bringing about improvements" to animal welfare. Statement made by the National Pig Association via Farmer's Weekly.
