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Call for Vets to Back Factory Farming Campaign

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Call for Vets to Back Factory Farming Campaign YOUR VIEW 15 July 7, 2020 Vet Times podcasts to download today... Call for vets to back factory farming campaign Dear editor, focuses on the positive joy of life, which speaks to farming As the world wakes up to the news that a new virus in harmony with nature, and a more balanced food system with “pandemic potential” has been discovered with much-reduced reliance on products from farmed animals. in pigs1, the role of factory farming as a breeding ground for In this way, we bring together the needs of the animal met Kit Sturgess with vet advice Helen Manning on disease comes into sharp focus. by the environment – which, done well, can be a harmonious, for treating senior dogs coping with coronavirus James Wood, head of the University of Cambridge Department symbiotic relationship, rather than solely minor adjustments of Veterinary Medicine, said the news “comes as a salutary in their environment. So, considering animal welfare and the reminder” that we are constantly at risk of new emergence environmental interconnectivities – such as enhanced health, of pathogens, and that farmed animals, with which humans reduced pollution and climate impact, and flourishing biodiver- have greater contact than with wildlife, may act as the source sity – is a proposition so much more than simply making their for important pandemic viruses. environment a little less bad. COVID-19 has demonstrated the fragility of society and that All of which begs the question of how we keep animals in the the way we treat animals today can have a huge bearing on environment in a way that leverages a better future for us all? the well-being of humanity tomorrow. Well, by keeping them in harmony with nature in regenerative There is a gathering openness to recognising that cruelty to farming systems, where animals are restored to the land in the animals in factory farms, wet markets and slaughterhouses has right way, within their ecological niche. the potential for serious repercussions that can shake the very In the case of ruminants, this will be as rotational grazing ani- foundations of human society. mals. In the case of pigs and poultry, as waste recyclers, foragers Thom Jenkins Locoregional anaesthesia Similarly, the devastating impact of factory farming on the and clean-up merchants. In harmony with their surroundings. discusses PetsApp with Diego Rodrigo Mocholi natural world is also starting to be recognised as a major driver Which, to do this as a general policy, requires a serious reduc- of declines in wildlife, forests, soil and water, all of which are tion in the amount of animals kept, and a consequent reduction necessary for the air we breathe, the water we drink and the in the consumption of meat and dairy. food we eat. Which is required anyway if we are to stave off the existential COVID-19, climate change, the collapse of the natural world threat to humanity of increased disease threats, climate change Listen at vettimes.co.uk/podcasts and the disease risks of factory farming all converge into a and diminishing environmental life support systems. powerful argument for ending cruelty to animals. That’s why Compassion in World Farming is calling on the weekly monthly It’s time for a new vision of animal welfare. world’s most influential organisations – including the World As an animal welfare environmentalist, I consider animals in Bank, the United Nations and the World Health Organization the environment, rather than simply looking at animals in their – to replace factory farming with a food system that respects podcasts podcasts podcasts environment. Looking at both the impact on the animal itself animals, nurtures our planet, and reduces the risk of pandemics. of not addressing its wants and needs, and what it means to May I urge those working in the veterinary profession to join society and the wider environment. us? And, in so doing, we may just leave a world worth having As an approach, it contrasts with reductionist animal welfare, as a legacy for our children. which is about reducing suffering rather than promoting the joy Never before has the future of humanity been so dependent of living. And this reduction of suffering can often be marginal. on our treatment, respect and compassion for animals. Like putting a perch into a battery cage. It might help a bit. Yours faithfully, But it won’t solve the problem; that the animal is kept in an PHILIP LYMBERY, global chief executive, ISSN 1352-9374 Business Publication of the Year 2017 inherently cruel system. Compassion in World Farming, Vet Times is published 50 times per year and is sent free to selected Simply adding a bit of what is missing to their environment River Court, Mill Lane, Godalming, veterinary professionals. Readers should note Vet Times is not – be it a perch in a cage, chains as toys in crowded barns or Surrey GU7 1EZ. peer reviewed, and the views expressed in the publication are not straw bales in a confinement lot – will neither solve the animal necessarily those of the editor or publisher. Reference welfare problem nor the environmental impact. 1. Roberts M (2020). Flu virus with ‘pandemic potential’ found in China, ©2020 Veterinary Business Development Ltd (no part of this publication A more expansive approach to animal welfare is one that BBC News, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53218704 may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher). Veterinary Business Development, Vet Times and vet times.co.uk are registered trade marks of Veterinary Business Development Ltd. All other trade marks acknowledged. Hopefully the majority of our feline News desk: Production enquiries: friends are blissfully unaware of the David Woodmansey 01733 383561 Jenny King 01733 383542 chaos going on in the world around [email protected] [email protected] Editor (news/digital): Display advertising sales: them… I don’t think Oreo and Guinness James Westgate 01733 383547 Ian Morris 01733 383535 [pictured] are too bothered. [email protected] [email protected] Editor (features/digital): Subscriptions: Cat owner and vet Jordan Sinclair Paul Imrie 01733 383554 Nikki Dartnell 01733 383539 offers some advice on keeping our feline [email protected] [email protected] We are committed to reducing the environmental companions happy despite us invading their impact of our publications wherever possible; therefore, all our publications are printed using FSC®-certified space and interrupting their routines while on papers. When you have no further use for this magazine furlough during lockdown. and the polywrap, please recycle it. For details, visit www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/plastic-film Read “Feline fine in lockdown” atvet times.co.uk Produced by Veterinary Business Development Ltd. Printed in Great Britain by Warners Midlands PLC. VBD is committed to the highest standards of accuracy and fairness, but mistakes can occasionally occur. For GET IN TOUCH full details of our formal editorial complaints procedure, visit www.vettimes.co.uk/?p=558 The Editor, Vet Times, Olympus House, facebook.com/vettimesuk VBD is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). For details, visit www.ipso.co.uk/IPSO Werrington Centre, Peterborough PE4 6NA @vettimesuk Average net circulation [email protected] linkedin.com/company/vet-times Jan-Dec 2019 18,756 vet times.co.uk @vettimesuk Veterinary Business Development Ltd, Space limitations mean not all letters can be published. In some instances, and at the editor’s discretion, letters will be shortened. The views and opinions Olympus House, Werrington Centre, expressed in any letter published are not necessarily those of the publication, the editor, Veterinary Business Development or any staff working for it. Peterborough PE4 6NA.
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