Cruelty to animals in the food industry was front and centre last week after the release of a sickening undercover video from the group Mercy for Animals showing workers at a commercial poultry operation sadistically abusing the chickens under their care.
Those who saw the video were horrified, and rightly so. Workers have since been fired and the B.C. SPCA has launched an investigation.
The whole episode highlights questions about how consumers who eat meat can have a reasonable expectation that the animals they are consuming have been humanely treated during their lives. Granted, these are animals raised for slaughter. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t insist on their humane treatment.
Unfortunately, most of the lapses that have come to light in the food industry have done so through undercover operations by groups such as the one that filmed the chicken video. A similar operation by the group in 2014 led to convictions at a cattle operation. It raises the question of how many unethical practices go unpunished.
We live in a time where we are sadly disconnected from the sources of our food. Few of us even take the simple step of giving thanks for it anymore.
Those in a position to research ethically sourced meat and to pay a premium price for it definitely have that option. We also have the choice of eating less meat in general.
Beyond that, we need to advocate for greater regulation and enforcement in the food industry by those in a position to make a wider difference. That involves engaging our brains before opening our mouths.
– Guest editorial from the North Shore News
