Over the Christmas holiday our family went to see the movie The Water Horse. It is the story of the legendary sea monster that lives in Loch Ness in Scotland. Based on the book by Dick King-Smith, the movie is a wonderful story with great special effects.

 
For me, however, the highlight of the film came at the end of the credits when across the screen flashed, “No sea monsters were harmed in the making of this film.”

 
At first I thought it was the filmmakers having a little satirical fun; but, considering the ridiculous state of the animal welfare debate in the country, I think they were serious.

 
During the recent Indiana Livestock Forum, Dr. Wes Jamison, from the University of Florida at Gainesville, presented examples far more extreme of just how far the animal rights movement has gone and how totally ridiculous the American public is about animals.

 
As Dr. Jamison put it, “The question now is not why animals have rights, but why not.” Seventy-five percent of respondents to an Ohio State study indicated they felt farm meat animals should be protected from feeling physical pain and 85 percent said farm meat animals should have quality of life.

 
Jamison pointed out that our society has two very different positions on animals.

 
On the one hand they want low cost, high quality animal meat, and on the other hand they see animals as lifelong partners and friends.

 
He stated, “If you did to your pet pig what is done to a farm pig, you would be charged with animal cruelty.”

 
He said never before in history has a society
abandoned animal agriculture but that our society may be heading toward that day.

 
In an effort to modify public opinion and avoid a ballot issue prompted by animal rights groups, pork producers in Colorado have decided to voluntarily phase out the use of gestation stalls for sows. If the pork producers thought this was going to get the animal rights wackos off their backs, they were sadly mistaken.

 
Wayne Percelle, head of the Humane Society of the US (HSUSA), said, “Saying farm animals are well treated is just not enough.” He made it clear his organization will continue to target the U.S. livestock industry.
During the holidays, our home was filled with visiting family members and friends. During the height of the activity, I put our 10-year old family dog in her crate.

She has slept in this crate almost every night since she was born. Yet, a day may be coming when activist groups make it illegal for me to place my dog in a crate in my home. We in agriculture can not lose sight of the importance of this issue or what is really at stake.

 
There is a movement within the agricultural industry to try and work with, negotiate with, and come to an understanding with these radical animal rights organizations.

 
This is a waste of time. The people we need to engage, educate and interact with on this issue are consumers. We must use our resources and organization to help consumers sort out their feelings about their pets and their dinner choices.

 
The meat industry seems too quick to put labels on meat products. So why not an animal care label: “This cow ate a well-balanced diet of scientifically balanced feed rations its entire life and received regular medical care from a licensed medical professional.”

 
Or: “The pig that produced this ham enjoyed a temperature-controlled environment year-round, an abundant supply of healthy food, and regular medical and weight management attention.”

 
If filmmakers need to put animal care disclaimers on their sea monster films, then we should put animal care labels on the meat we produce for the grocery store.

 
By the way, no animal was harmed during the writing of this column. In fact my dog was curled up warm and comfortable under the desk during the time it was written. Now that I am done, she will follow me into the family room where she will take up residence on the family sofa.

 
It is not a hard concept to grasp or to articulate: you can love your dog and love a steak dinner.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Gary Truitt may write to him in care of this  publication.