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Animal welfare vs animal rights – what’s the difference?
Why do some groups talk about animal welfare while others talk about animal rights? The two terms have a lot in common, but are really different philosophies along a spectrum concerning all those who care about animals62.
Animal welfare: humans have a right to use animals, but also the responsibility to ensure the ethical treatment and wellbeing of animals in their care. This position is the one supported by most people, including farmers.
Animal rights: humans don’t have the right to use or con ne animals for any reason, including food, medicine, domestication, education, clothing or entertainment.
It can be dif cult to sort out the many positions and groups involved with animal care or animal use issues, and farmers are open to respectful discussion and transparency. They are interested in nding new, better ways to raise animals, and they invest a lot of time and money into animal welfare practices, education, and research to make that happen.
If you want to know more about how farmers care for their animals, please just ask—on social media, at farmers’ markets on farm tours or at other local events.
Farm trespassing and “undercover” operations
Anna Haupt
Tip: many farmers are on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and are more than happy to answer genuine questions about how they raise livestock, grow crops, or produce food. If you’re not comfortable asking your question in public, try a direct or private message on one of those platforms.
Increasingly, Canadian farmers have been faced with animal rights activists trespassing onto their farms, and in some cases, even entering into barns and interfering with animals. Not only does this action cause immense stress to both farmers and livestock; it exposes animals to possible diseases and threatens food safety.
Governments in several Canadian provinces have now introduced laws to protect farmers against this type of trespassing onto private property, and to keep livestock safe from interference during transport.
Another tactic is the release of undercover video footage showing alleged farm animal abuse. At times, individuals lming the undercover footage have been doing so for extended periods of time without taking action to stop abuse or questionable activity. This, too, is unacceptable and should be reported to the proper authorities immediately. Anyone with concerns about animal welfare should notify the appropriate authorities. These authorities have the powers to investigate suspected animal abuse, collect any relevant evidence, and le charges, and are appropriately trained in animal husbandry and handling, biosecurity protocols, collection of evidence, and adhere to a code of conduct.
It’s important to keep in mind that everything may not be what it seems—and just because something is on the internet doesn’t mean that it’s true. Misleading messaging and modi ed images or videos are often a part of anti-agricultural campaigns, and need to be approached with critical thinking in mind.
The bottom line:
There’s no bene t of any kind to anyone from mistreating animals. One extreme case is always one too many, but it is far from the norm and does not re ect the quality care that millions of farm animals all across Canada receive every day.
See for yourself!
Experience the many different types of Canadian farms with your home, of ce or mobile device at www.FarmFood360.ca and check out the many virtual farm and food tours available.
Chapter 4: Humane treatment of farm animals 29