I heard a story the other day that I found almost unbelievable. It was told to me by a farmers son in his twenties and not long out of university who works in the agriculture industry but still mixes with friends who know nothing about farming.
A young lady of his acquaintance who loved animals had joined Compassion in World Farming. She had been persuaded by the propaganda subsequently sent to her that milking cows was cruel. That the twice daily ritual of drawing milk from their udders made cows miserable. Furthermore, that she could make the life of at least one animal more bearable by giving money to the organisation spreading the propaganda.
She had therefore, according to my young friend, sponsored a cow not to be milked. How much this had cost her I don't know. But I wondered if she had thought through the reasons why the cow existed in the first place. Or if she knew about distended udders and the pain that could cause. Or any one of a number of other questions obvious to those of us involved in farming but not to those who support CWF - including the possibility that it might be a big confidence trick.
You watch a programme like Jamie Oliver's about the high welfare enjoyed by British pigs and how it is better to eat home produced meat if you want to ensure tthe animal has had a good life and you think - Great, the message is getting through. Then you hear a story like this. And you think - there's a whole lot more education and reconnection still to do.
Comments (2)
We’re pleased David that you found this story unbelievable because we at Compassion in World Farming are interested only in telling consumers the reality of how animals are often treated in intensive farming systems and working with consumers, retailers and farmers to promote higher welfare farming. Under no circumstances would we, or have we, ever run a “sponsor a cow not to be milked” campaign.
We have however raised awareness of the plight of milking cows, many of whom do suffer from lameness, poor body condition and infertility because they are bred to produce huge quantities of milk. You are absolutely right to say that there’s a lot more education and reconnection to do but the farming industry needs to face up to the fact that the welfare of the animals is increasingly important to consumers and needs continually improving.
Phil Brooke
Welfare Development Manager
Compassion in World Farming
Posted by Phil Brooke | February 16, 2009 6:03 PM
Posted on February 16, 2009 18:03
Hi David,
Please can you contact me fairly urgently on my email, or on mobile (077 481 50 994). I'll explain the matter, but there's nothing to worry about!
By trade, I'm a farmer from SW Scotland, but I have a speciality in another area that will be of use to you just now.
Edward
Posted by Edward Beck | February 23, 2009 1:00 AM
Posted on February 23, 2009 01:00