Waiting for the HSUS

Almost a year ago, the Humane Society of the U.S. and the Nebraska Farmers Union (NFU) formed an advisory council.  It was the first such alliance in the country between an ag organization and the HSUS. But it wasn’t the last. In July, the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) said it has formed an alliance with the Humane Society. HSUS president Wayne Pacelle spoke at the OCM meeting in Kansas City, August 10. I understand what the HSUS and independent farmers and ranchers have in common: The NFU and OCM need allies in their fight against the large (some would say monopolistic) groups that control ag markets and the lives of farmers and ranchers. HSUS is opposed to factory farming methods that are the foundation of corporate agribusiness.  The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I get it. I also understand the benefits of this kind of alliance. HSUS gains an ally in the farm and ranch country where the organization is trying to change factory farming practices — from tail docking at dairies to the size of gestation crates on hog farms. The farmers and ranchers at OCM and NFU, meanwhile, believe HSUS could help open new markets for the food they produce by steering urban foodies to their products. (Maybe the HSUS could brand products from independent producers.) HSUS could also provide some lobbying clout in Congress when it comes to writing (or enforcing) laws about competition and monopolies. In theory, everybody wins. Markets are opened, allowing independent producers to thrive. Animals are saved from factory farms. Food quality improves. Rural communities benefit from having local owners and operators who are making more money. It could work. But for a coalition to prosper, don’t you need to have both sides publicly supporting each other?...more

The lefties in the ag world are making fools of themselves.