Opinion
While traveling between Kansas City, Missouri, and the Twin Cities recently, heavy smells from poultry and pork production facilities seemed reduced compared to trips over the past two decades. Although prevailing winds might be partly responsible, more facilities are bordered by trees, ventilation systems have been added to existing buildings, green space expansions on sites were evident, as were many solar panel arrays.
These advancements are not happenstance. Environmental stewardship is a focus of the We Care commitment launched in 2008 to promote responsibility across every aspect of pork production. Developed by pig farmers and organizations representing them, the We Care commitment is comprised of six ethical principles that allow everyone who comes into contact with pigs to create advancements that positively impact animals, farms, people, communities, food and the environment.
Pig farmers understand their livelihoods are directly tied to the air, water and land, so they are committed to a sustainable future and recognize that their operations must protect the quality of our planet’s natural resources.
Source: Porkcares.org. Link. As food needs rise, pig farmers are working to reduce farming’s impact on the environment and to advance animal agriculture’s environmental and conservation efforts, while also producing more food. The world’s population is projected to grow to 9-10 billion people by 2050, and that requires global food production to increase 70-80 percent.
INSIGHTS: Animal health pros are uniquely positioned to support advancements in animal agriculture stewardship and help educate people who might otherwise turn up their noses to the importance of pork industry advancements.
Consider sharing We Care resources with local media to include with their holiday ham content. 😉