Jonathan Safran Foer and sustainable, humane animal agriculture

[Guest guest]

Hello Nettie,

 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the book. Yes! I agree! From

what I have read, Foer does a great job in articulating the problems of

industrial animal agriculture. For example, this is from an article in

the New York Times Magazine, adapted from the book:

 

"According to an analysis of U.S.D.A. data by the advocacy group Farm

Forward, factory farms now produce more than 99 percent of the animals

eaten in this country. And despite labels that suggest otherwise,

genuine alternatives — which do exist, and make many of the ethical

questions about meat moot — are very difficult for even an educated

eater to find." http://bit.ly/3ckduW

 

It's clear from the excerpt that Foer thinks there is an ethical way to

breed, raise, and kill non-human animals for human use. This is not

surprising. The humane and sustainable animal agriculture advocacy

group Farm Forward, of which Foer is a board member, writes:

 

"[Foer's book] articulates so much of Farm Forward’s own philosophy.

For example, Foer singles out Frank Reese as the most important farmer

in America. We’ve felt that way for years. Reese has the ability to

recreate a more humane and sustainable poultry industry, which is why

supporting Reese’s work is taking more of Farm Forward’s attention than

any other project." http://bit.ly/IUAQu

 

Recall that this is the type of farm Foer says "if you were to visit

them, you would say this is something I'm proud of, my values are

reflected in the way these animals are raised."

 

There are diverse reasons why one might choose vegetarianism and these

reasons will inform our responses to Foer's ideas. If one is concerned

solely about conditions in industrial animal

agriculture, then Foer's book is a great development. If one is

concerned about the vegan ideal of non-exploitation, then I don't think

Foer's position is so helpful.

 

If you're interested in reading more on how the sustainable, humane

animal agriculture Foer promotes relates to vegetarianism, please check

out my earlier message on the topic:

http://loveallbeings.org/blog/sustainable-animal-agriculture-and-ethical-vegetarianism/

 

Victor

-- The Vegan Ideal: http://veganideal.org/

Veganism as Anti-Oppression: http://loveallbeings.org/