Who says humanely raised meat isn't affordable?
For years, the pig industry has said that gestation crates—concrete stalls that don’t allow pigs to move much, turn around, or perform other natural behaviors—are the most economical way of meeting demand for pork products. But recent Iowa State University research that compares the economic costs of raising sows (female pigs) in gestation crates versus alternative structures says otherwise.
Instead of confining pigs in crowded factory farms, the Iowa State researchers recommend rearing sows in group hoop houses—pens that allow the animals to nest in straw and walk freely. A two-year study found that sows in hoop houses had more live births than those in confinement facilities. Researchers also found that group housing can reduce production costs by as much as 11 percent compared to pigs raised in gestation crates. Pigs are not only very social creatures, but when allowed to nest together they can better control their temperatures, which can improve overall health and performance, the researchers say.
But there’s another aspect to this study that isn't so quantifiable: allowing pigs to be pigs and not just inputs into a factory farming system. This shouldn't be an unusual perspective. Farm animals deserve our respect and compassion during every step of the food chain, from farm to slaughterhouse to our dinner plates.
Comments
The question is one of moral consideration
The excellent question raised by anik isn't one of consumer choice as is obviously mistaken by the author in response, but rather poignantly, one of moral consideration of sentient individuals who happen to merely be mammals of a different species than the appropriately compared (in the context of the issue raised) human mammal.
I would suggest that the blog readership get their hands on "The Dreaded Comparison" by Marjorie Spiegel as well as "Your Child or Your Dog?" by Prof. Gary Francione.
"The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men." - Alice Walker
Respect for farm animals during their lives and during slaughter
You're point is an interesting one--and one that's definitely not new to me or others interested in farm animal welfare. Consumers concerned with suffering have a range of options--from choosing vegan diets to eating meat once or twice a week or only eating meat from animals raised in the most humane circumstances possible. As long as people continue to "use" farm animals for food, then I think consumers need to be aware that yes they do indeed feel pain and the meat industry needs to find ways to minimize their suffering.
Respect?
To say farm animals deserve respect from farm to slaughterhouse to dinner plate raises an interesting question. Would it be considered respectful and compassionate to breed, exploit and slaughter a human in this way?
Does it matter what species or intellectual capacity an animal has when considering the acceptable suffering? When considering what pain is justified, what other thing matters other than the ability to feel pain?
Meet your meat... www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYQvDwEhHcw