So, another federal court has sided with animal welfare activists and determined — in the name of freedom of speech — that Iowa livestock farmers have no right to keep someone from entering their farm under false pretenses to secretly try to discredit the farmer and ruin his/her reputation.
I’m appalled people continue to be fooled by those who want you to believe they’re about animal rights when their sole purpose is actually to end all meat consumption.
When was it decided that livestock farmers need watchdogs? Was it when the pigs went inside, or when the Humane Society of the United States and others found that deceit works?
No one forces farmers to raise livestock and there are many reasons why they do, not the least of which is their love of working with and raising food animals.
It’s not easy work, but farmers take great pride in raising quality pork and beef for most people’s eating enjoyment.
I can say from past experience that no pig owners willingly or intentionally mistreat or abuse their animals. It’s absurd for people to think they do.
Striking down Iowa’s Ag Protection Act isn’t about protecting freedom of speech. It’s about taking away livestock producers’ rights.
Ronald Birkenholz
West Des Moines