People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (
PETA) is again utilizing its constitutional rights to publicly demonstrate: This time, to advocate its beliefs about industrial livestock operations in the nation’s third-largest hog-farming state – Ohio (
USDA).
PETA, the largest animal-rights organization in the world, has approval from Ohio’s Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board to bring three pigs to the Statehouse steps and to emit the recorded squeals of piglets using a sound system. The group is appealing a declined request to also display 3,500 one-gallon buckets of hog manure and urine, along with an industrial fan, to distribute accompanying odors.
The organization is pronouncing its belief that large-scale hog operations partake in animal brutality and contribute to the spread of the H1N1 virus, and hopes to mirror the presentation on the U.S. Capital grounds in Washington, D.C. on the same date and at the same time. Initially scheduled July 9, a new demonstration date is being determined.
"The best way to protect animals and our own health is to go vegetarian," said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (
CDC) has repeatedly stated that the HIN1 virus cannot be contracted from eating pork or pork products.
The National Pork Board includes an animal welfare committee with a mission “to maintain and promote the pork industry tradition of responsible animal care with the application of scientifically sound animal care practices.” An industry initiative titled, “We Care,” ensures that producers are held accountable to established ethical principles and animal well-being practices.
“Some outside groups don’t want our customers to hear about everything we do to care for our animals and ensure they’re raised responsibly. They generalize the terrible behavior of a few individuals and apply it to the vast majority of us who do things the right way,” said Phil Borgic, an Illinois pork producer.
Whether one is for or against livestock farms, the pork industry’s influence nationally and in Ohio cannot be denied.
Pork Industry Statistics (USDA and Ohio Pork Producers)
• The U.S. pork industry generates more than $72 billion in total domestic economic activity.
• The pork industry supports more than 800,000 jobs and adds more than $27 billion of value to inputs such as corn and soybeans.
• Pork production contributes to 10,000 Ohio jobs.
• Pork production brought in nearly $405 million to Ohio’s economy in 2007.
PETA has demonstrated at legislative offices before. In May, at New Hampshire’s Statehouse, activists simultaneously advocated for gay rights and vegetarianism by appearing nude with a banner that read, “Vegetarians Make Better Lovers," and distributed information about cruelty occurring at factory farms.
Anti-demonstrations occurred during a campaign at Maine’s Statehouse, which boycotted Canadian-made syrup to protest Canadian seal harvesting. One protestor wore a seal costume while another punctured an oversized imitation of a syrup bottle that “bled corrupted” syrup.
PETA’s activities are outrageous and over-the-top by design, using eye-catching and controversial tactics to make statements and achieve listening ears.
Unfortunately, these tactics receive press coverage and the attention of the uninformed. Perhaps there is more that needs to be done to mitigate the attention – particularly in the media.
What actions, if any, should industry affiliates take? Do you consider PETA’s actions effective? What are the implications for Ohio’s hog farmers?
