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HUMANE MYTH
IN THE MEDIA:
Advocacy-Industry Collaboration



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 HUMANE MYTH GLOSSARY

Abolition
Animal advocacy
Animal husbandry
Animal protection
Animal rights
Animal welfare
Animal welfare industrial complex
Animal-using industries
Co-option
Commodification
Conflict of Interest
Conscience
Conscientious objection
Critical thinking
Cruelty-free
Disillusionment
Doctrine of necessary evil
Happy Meat
Hogwashing
Humane myth
Humane slaughter
Neocarnism
Non-participation and Non-cooperation
Non-violent social change
Open Rescue
Path of Conscience
Plant-based diet
Privilege of domination
Speciesism
Suffering
Sustainable
Utilitarianism
Values-based activism
Vegan



 
Deconstructing the Myth

According to their web site, the American Humane Association is "the oldest national humane organization with divisions for protecting both children and animals from neglect, abuse, cruelty, and exploitation." Further, this organization places a special emphasis on "the links between all forms of family violence: child abuse and neglect; animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect; elder abuse; and domestic violence. We are not singling out any one at-risk population; rather, our view is that, in a civilized society, no form of violence should be tolerated."

Given this organization's point of view on both violence and exploitation, it is interesting to consider how their development of a program that certifies certain animal products as "humane" is justified. Is there any way to breed beings into existence, and then take their lives for the sake of profit that is not exploitative by definition?

If this organization's position is that "no form of violence should be tolerated," yet they choose to certify the use and killing of animals as humane, it seems to stand to reason that they must not consider the butchery of healthy young animals an act of violence.

By the same token, it would appear that when they apply the word "humane" to the treatment of human animals, it means one thing, and that when applied to all other animals, it means something entirely different. What is the rationale for this dual meaning?

And, then, there is also the troubling issue of the role consumption of animal products plays in the degradation of the health of human children, and the catastrophic role the production of these products is playing in the great extinction now occurring on our planet. For any organization aiming to protect both children and animals, as this organization says it does, these are pressing, and unavoidable questions.

To learn about the hidden truth of the egg industry, see the slide show Cage Free Eggs: Behind the Myth."

"The life of the individual has meaning only insofar as it aids in making the life of every living thing nobler and more beautiful. Life is sacred, that is to say, it is the supreme value, to which all other values are subordinate."

--Albert Einstein




 


Eggland's Best to Receive Certification by American Humane Association


Is there any way to breed beings into existence, and then take their lives for the sake of profit that is not exploitative by definition?

Source: FOOD & DRINK QUARTERLY   Oct 2007   10/27/2008
Click here for direct link to source

Excerpts:

Eggland’s Best, Inc., America’s No. 1 branded egg, will be certified by the American Humane Association. First developed in 1999, American Humane’s assessment and certification process will verify that Eggland’s Best Cage Free and Organic egg products are produced humanely and according to the Association’s strict animal welfare guidelines. The certification of Eggland’s Best marks a watershed moment for the growing humane animal certification movement.

“American Humane is delighted and proud to welcome Eggland’s Best to our program,” said Marie Belew Wheatley, American Humane president and CEO. “Our certification program is the country’s original farm animal welfare program. We are very pleased that Eggland’s Best recognizes the value of maintaining high standards of animal care in their operations and are confident that the brand will find the American Humane Certification good for both the animals and their business interests.

Eggland’s Best will begin rolling out the brand’s newly labeled  “American Humane Certified“ cartons nationwide to grocers’ shelves in the coming months for both Organic and Cage Free varieties.

“We pride ourselves in being the No. 1 branded egg in America and in delivering the best tasting and most nutritious eggs to our consumers," said Charles T. Lanktree, Eggland’s Best president and chief executive officer. "In keeping with the highest standards of Eggland’s Best, we are pleased that the American Humane Association is providing independent certification that Eggland’s Best chickens are being treated humanely.

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