Agricultural Economics Department
Date of this Version
11-2011
Citation
Cornhusker Economics (November 2011)
Abstract
In the October 12, 2011 edition of Cornhusker Economics, Professor Dave Aiken brought us up to date on the issue of food animal welfare as it might affect Nebraska agriculture. His update was rendered out of date a mere six days later when the Nebraska Farmers’ Union (NEFU) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) announced an agreement and the formation of a new advisory body, the Nebraska Agricultural Council of the Humane Society of the United States. The stated goal of the new organization is “To advance more humane practices on farms and ranches and to promote food producers who share that goal.”
This announcement did not sit well with We Support Agriculture (WSA), a coalition of prominent agricultural groups that includes: Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Poultry Industries and the Nebraska State Dairy Association. Formed only a month earlier (September, 2011) with the express intention of opposing “any effort” by HSUS to impose new limits on the agricultural industry, WSA immediately expressed “shock and disappointment” that the Nebraska Farmers Union would align itself with a group that aims to end animal agriculture.
Comments
Published by University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Department of Agricultural Economics. Copyright © [2011] Board of Regents, University of Nebraska. http://agecon.unl.edu/cornhuskereconomics