SECURING THE MEAT INDUSTRY’S FUTURE Protecting Against Activist Threats
Animal Care & Handling Conference October 19, 2017 Hannah Thompson-Weeman Vice President of Communications OUR ROLE
IT’S ABOUT BRINGING EVERYONE TO THE TABLE FOR GOOD. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Alltech American Farm Bureau Federation Bayer HealthCare American Feed Industry Association Cattle Empire American National CattleWomen Charleston|Orwig American Sheep Industry Association Cooper Farms American Veal Association Diamond V Dairy Management Inc. Elanco Animal Health Iowa Soybean Association Farm Journal Media National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Genus- PIC/ABS National Chicken Council Hy-Line North America National Pork Board Merck Animal Health National Pork Producers Council Morning Fresh Farms National Turkey Federation Dr. Robert Hagevoort, NMSU North American Meat Institute Potash Corp. Texas Cattle Feeders Association Smithfield Hog Production U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Zoetis United Egg Producers United Soybean Board Why do we exist?
The future of animal agriculture is under attack by activist groups who want to end the industry. CONSUMERS ARE HUNGRY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM… But unfortunately they are frequently getting answers from activist organizations rather than farmers.
KNOW THE OPPOSITION ANIMAL RIGHTS IN THE USA – ‘70S, ‘80S, ‘90S ANIMAL RIGHTS IN THE USA – TODAY $400+ Million Annually Animal Rights Leah Garces Activist Web
Leah Garces
T..J. Tumasse Alex Bury $$$
Jon Camp Bruce Friedrich
T.J. Tumasse Nick Cooney
$$$ Michael Budkie Bruce Friedrich K. Middleton Frank Reese Johnathon Safran Foer Alex Bury
L. Prescott $$$
(Formerly known as Hugs for Bernard Rollin Puppies) Suzanne McMillan Audrey Perdue Andrea Gunn Nick Cooney Deborah Press $$$ Rachel Huff- Wagenborg
Ryan Shapiro (2006-2013)
Nancy Perry Neal Barnard Richard Patch Audrey Perdue Wayne Pacelle Ed Sayres Jaque West $$$ Web Key Stephen Zawistowski Karen Medicus Michael Markarian Stacy Seqal Heidi Prescott Pierre Grszbowski Project collaboration $$$ J.P. Goodwin Flow of personnel/money
Michael W. Fox $$$ Financial assistance Andrew Rowan Individual on staff level Name Holly Hazard collaboarting with two or more Andrew Rowan activist groups. Mark Glover Contract employee/volunteer Name collaboarating with two or more groups; is staff with new group. Holly Hazard Individual with biological or marriage Name relationship with staff member of Andrew Rowan Animal Agriculture Alliance (2016) activist group. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS TARGET CONSUMERS, CUSTOMERS, POLICY MAKERS, INVESTORS
You are Antagonists Antagonists here are there Reasonable majority is here Pressure on Retailers Purchasing Stock/ Undercover Restaurants Investors Employment Brands Food /Health Videos Scares
Violence Terrorism Legislation Animal Regulation
Lawsuits & Agriculture FTC Complaints Under Attack Ballot Initiatives
Celebrity Activists Religion
Humane Education Youth/ Social College Media Campuses CURRENT HOT TOPICS…
• Antibiotic use • Broiler chickens (growth rates) • Animal ag & the environment • Nutrition & public health RETAIL/RESTAURANT PRESSURE
• “Knowing that change is needed at all levels, we also advocate for reform at the corporate and institutional level through hard- hitting animal welfare campaigns targeting specific companies. From Starbucks to Philadelphia’s public school system to every major foodservice company, we achieve major victories that reduce meat consumption and spare millions of animals from a life of misery in cages.” - The Humane League RETAIL/RESTAURANT PRESSURE - ESCLATATION TRESPASSING & BREAK INS
WHAT WE’RE DOING
We CONNECT key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We ENGAGE food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We PROTECT by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation. SOCIAL AND TRADITIONAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT COLLEGE AGGIES ONLINE “MEAT MATTERS” CAMPAIGN INFOGRAPHICS TO SHARE AnimalAgAlliance.org [email protected]
Snapchat: AnimalAg