The Price of Ending Animal Confinement on Farms

In a victory for animal rights activists across the country, Ohio farmers recently conceded to the demands of the Humane Society of the United States and have accepted a set of new regulations that will restrict the close confinement of hens, hogs, and veal calves in the state.

Although state farmers are unhappy with the agreement, their acceptance of these new animal welfare requirements is an effort to avoid even stricter regulations like those passed in California in 2008. By reaching a compromise with animal rights groups, Ohio farmers have in essence blocked a more stringent set of regulations from being put in front of state voters this November.

Specifically, the compromise "bars new construction of egg farms that pack birds in cages, and phases out the tight caging of pregnant sows within 15 years and of veal calves by 2017."

I'm obviously all for treating animals humanely (I work for a small rare-breed, pastured hog farm). However, I would be more supportive of these animal welfare ordinances if they were backed by groups of concerned consumers advocating for a change in how meat is produced rather than animal rights groups that don't believe animals should be farmed for meat at all.

The one thing that everyone can agree on (or rather, will have to accept) as the movement to pass animal welfare laws spreads to other states across the country is that meat, cheese, eggs, and other animal products are going to become more expensive. As consumers, we must all understand that demanding that animals are treated humanely and with respect on the nation's farms will result in us all paying more for our food. It's as simple as that. And while it is increasingly easier to find locally and sustainably raised meats, it doesn't mean that the prices are falling.

Personally, I think these changes in animal welfare standards are a win-win situation for everyone. They will result in happier animals, higher-quality products, and less environmental destruction than that caused by traditional confinement operations. However, consumers must be willing to pay the price for these improvements.

Cheap meat was built upon the mistreatment of farm animals. In order to change the system, we must re-think the value that we place on the animal products we so often take for granted.

Photo credit: quacktaculous