The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) opted to be a major sponsor
of the 2007 Taking Action for Animals (TAFA) conference because
TAFA’s focus this year is farm animal welfare. AWI has fought
animal factories for decades while working to encourage humane
family farming. Many organizations work with farmers in some
fashion, and there is no reason to shy away from this fact. AWI is
one of several sponsors, including the Humane Society of the U.S.,
Compassion in World Farming, World Society for the Protection of
Animals and Whole Foods Market, which support certification
programs for farmers who adhere to standards for the improved
treatment of animals on farms. Some of these sponsors and others
support “cage-free” and “crate-free” campaigns, which are surely
topics that will be discussed at the conference.
Our Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) program sets high standards
for how farm animals should be treated. On AWA farms, animals are
able to engage in natural behaviors, outdoors or in comfortably
bedded pens. We prohibit cruel practices including intensive
confinement in crates or cages, tail docking of pigs and debeaking
of chickens, and counterproductive marketing techniques such as
dual production.
Farmers whom AWI invited to speak at the conference share our
concerns about the welfare of animals in factories and are
committed to high welfare on their own farms. They are coming to
present their perspective and engage in a dialogue. These farmers
have no interest in converting vegetarians or vegans to a
meat-based diet.
Some have suggested this is an inappropriate forum for farmers.
We beg to differ. This is a conference about “taking action for
farm animals.” It is not an animal rights rally where like-minded
individuals cheer each other on. It is an opportunity to learn
more about how to help farm animals and to become informed about
what is already being done on the local, national and
international levels. It is about learning the subtle nuances that
can make a big difference for the animals. It is not just about
vegetarianism or veganism per se—it is also about developing skill
sets to reach the vast majority of people who eat meat and are
unwilling to modify their diets, and reaching them in a respectful
and intelligent way so we can reduce the sum total of suffering
experienced by animals on farms.
How can we work together to come up with the best ways to help
animals if we close our minds? Each TAFA participant, in his or
her own way, is doing what he or she can to take action for
animals. We hope you will join us in this unique opportunity to
exchange views, create dialogue and move forward for the animals.
We welcome you to talk with us at our exhibit booth or to contact
us at the AWI office at 703-836-4300.
