Westland Meat Plant Video

For nearly 15 years I was vegetarian, not out of moral opposition to eating meat, but rather out of severe concerns for how we raise animals in factory farms. This video demonstrates some of the alarming, inhumane and unsafe practices that can occur. WARNING: the video contains very graphic images.

While the USDA notes that this was an isolated incident and has no intent to revise its oversight policy or regulations, standard factory farming policies demonstrate these problems are not only common but in fact endemic to the industry.

A huge thanks to the Humane Society for continuing to keep this issue in front of us. This video made it into the evening news, certainly helping to raise awareness.

There is opportunity to reduce this type of suffering by moderating consumption and by supporting farms that raise animals in healthy and humane environments. When animals are mass produced for our consumption, it's hard to imagine incidents like this are uncommon, even with oversight. I always opt for the free range eggs, organic producers and meats from small, local producers -- where I feel there is greater chance that incidents like this won't occur.

2/3/08 Westland Meats has issued a statement on their website. The statements emphasize the excellent oversight measures that are already in place, in apparent contradiction to the video evidence. Westland has been cited at least once in the past for using prods on animals.

2/5/08 As an update, the HSUS has done a brilliant job highlighting issues, then acting to address them more globally through protective legislation. On their site, they now highlight the proposed  Farm Animal Stewardship Act designed to provide basic protection for animal welfare in factory farms. Visit this link to send a message of support to legislators.

Comments

[daniel]

This is why I hate those damn meat companies. Look at those poor animals. Their being starved and beaten. that makes me cry. They have done nothing wrong and don't deserve that kind of treatment. makes me want to become a vegetarian, though I know this kind of torture again slaughterhouse animals will continue. Poor things.

[Heida]

Thanks for your comments, Daniel, and I agree entirely that the current system is not a model that works. I recently looked into the mass farming practices for other animals, including pigs and chickens and was horrified at the common, everyday practices that led to certain suffering for the animals. These are sadly not isolated incidences, but rather the result of a 'mass production' model. While going vegetarian isn't for everyone, much can be done through more moderate meat consumption and support of local farms. These are two great ways to make a difference. - Heida