Speer: OFF Act Coalition: The Camel and the Tent

Questionable Motives: Last week’s column regarding the Beef Checkoff was meant to be my last (at least for now). But it happened to overlap this letter (May 10) to Congress (which follows this letter) from the OFF Act coalition. Given the timing, one more column seems appropriate to bundle all this together. 

Up until now, I’ve not addressed the assortment of signatories; the group includes some dubious partners with questionable motives.  But for me, one in particular stands out: Mercy for Animals (MFA).  To understand why, some background might prove helpful (all of which I wrote about in Feedstuffs many years ago).  

Back Story:  Back in 2009, MFA came to Western Kentucky University (where I worked at the time).  That day in November remains etched in my memory.  I was returning to my office from an off-campus meeting.  Along the way, I heard someone in front of the library repeatedly yelling, “end the suffering.”

Because it was an especially beautiful day, looking for any excuse to remain outside, I decided to explore further.  My curiosity paid off!   The commotion was an MFA activist handing out brochures about the evils of animal agriculture.

I tried to engage the young activist about what he was conveying to unsuspecting college students. The only response being talking points:  over 95% of animal suffering is directly attributable to meat and milk production.   Any hope for dialogue quickly dissipated; the volunteer had no real knowledge of animal agriculture.

I subsequently shared with him some of my professional endeavors including participation on a national ASAS committee that worked to develop comprehensive, science-based animal care guidelines.  I also explained why his brochure misrepresented our industry.  All to no avail, he quickly turned defensive. He needed to “educate others” about animal abuse; he walked away and reinitiated his “end the suffering” mantra.  

Video:  Just several days later MFA released an undercover investigation from a Pennsylvania swine unit.  The organization utilized several experts in response to their investigation including Dr. Temple Grandin. She appropriately cited instances within the video which are unacceptable including the mishandling of piglets, untreated lesions, and stalls that were too narrow for many of the sows.   Similarly, other experts, on behalf of MFA, highlighted various animal care shortfalls at the farm.   But most important, not one of them ever hinted at, or suggested, broader industry-wide problems.

But that wasn’t good enough.   MFA conflated that investigation to incriminate the entire industry.  MFA founder, Nathan Runkle, remarked that such abuses found in the video are “standard within the industry.”   He further stated, “It is humanity’s shame that we exploit and abuse billions of animals simply for being other than us…” 

My Feedstuffs column noted that if MFA’s, “….agenda were objective (promoting animal status and their subsequent welfare) there’d be willing discourse about the topic at hand; for example, my young friend on campus would have been pleased to visit.   But that’s not the case.”

Fast Forward To Today:  Some readers might think that’s old history – none of that really matters in 2023.   But tigers don’t change their stripes.  Consider the following:

• MFA’s Founder, Mr. Runkle, has expanded his mission by founding a new organization - The Good Food Institute (GFI): a “…a nonprofit think tank working to accelerate alternative protein innovation.” 
• Meanwhile, MFA’s stated vision is as follows: “…to end one of the greatest causes of suffering on the plant: the exploitation of animals for food, in a particular, industrial animal agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing.  These forms of food production not only cause egregious animal suffering but have detrimental effects on the planet and people.”  
• Lastly, less than 60 days ago, the organization published this statement:  “Animal agriculture is a significant source of global emissions, worsening the climate crisis and causing suffering to people and animals alike. But transforming our food systems—and shifting toward more plant-based food in particular—can be a powerful solution to reduce global emissions and secure a more livable future.”  

Back To The Letter:  The May 10 letter ends with the following statement:  “We sincerely appreciate [Congress’] dedication to America’s farmers and ranchers and urge you to include the OFF Act in the 2023 Farm Bill.”   That’s hard to reconcile given MFA’s stated policy mission is to: “…to ban cruel factory farming practices and make plant-based foods more accessible…”.  

To that end, the implications are immense.  Passage of the OFF Act would ultimately position the signatory activist groups – with the stated objective of ending animal agriculture - as stakeholders in Farm Bill policy going forward.    

The Camel and The Tent: It’s incomprehensible why any self-proclaimed ranching group would partner with MFA (and their activist cohorts).  The foolishness is best illustrated by the tale of the camel and the tent. 

In the middle of a sandstorm, the camel asks the owner to share his tent; the camel only wants to stick his nose in the tent for protection.  The owner complies. But it doesn’t end there. The camel soon makes a request for his head, next for the neck and so on, until the camel has completely moved in.  Ultimately, the camel declares the tent too small and uncomfortable for both to remain inside. The camel then demands the owner, because he’s smaller, to sleep outside.