Dairies, kennels, catteries, swine operations, racetracks, feedyards, even backyard poultry coops, no matter how well-run, took an animal welfare hit when video footage of abuse at Fair Oaks Farms became public. Purdue University’s Candace Croney, PhD, is correct when she said, “. . . events like this can happen anywhere. What is most important is the response to them.” She comments about the issues at Fair Oaks, its management’s response and the challenges of having a limited pool of potential caregivers, some of whom may not hold animal welfare as a core value.
This is not just a Fair Oaks problem. Employees who do the wrong thing can be found in every area of business.
Source: Feedstuffs, June 7, 2019. Link.
Farm culture must focus on cultivating compassion for animals and the people on whom they are entirely dependent. Empowering and caring for animal care staff needs attention too. It is morally and logically inconsistent to ask people to provide high quality care for animals who do not themselves feel cared about, respected and protected.
Source: Fair Oaks Farms under investigation after undercover video exposes animal abuse, CBS News, June 7, 2019. Link. (links to Animal Recovery Mission video in article)
INSIGHTS: This is tough to watch, sad to consider and a fine example of the economic issues that come with an act like this. Welfare is an issue that will continue to escalate. Our industry needs to work hard to police itself.