This is a message for any British ethical omnivores/ethical vegetarians — please check out the wonderful Compassion in World Farming organization, an organization devoted to campaigning peacefully to end all cruel factory farming practices.   Currently it is asking people to email their local MP to support labeling of all chicken products as to how humanely the chickens were raised, and in what “stocking density.”  (So far it looks like 25% of MPs ARE supporting it! Yay!)  

I am REALLY in favor of this — you KNOW how I love labeling — I think it’s the best method of change.  It’s gentle and noninvasive and lets people make up their own minds.  You can decide whether you want to purchase chickens that were raised horribly or not — the information is right in front of you.  No blissful ignorance anymore!  It’s also very capitalist — it just gives people information, it doesn’t restrict farmers or consumers from doing whatever the hell they want to do.  It involves no government interference with small businesses, etc.  You can support this even if you’re extremely fiscally conservative!  

Can I also mention how much I love the idea of having “stocking density” on a label of chicken in the grocery store?  I mean, I’d never thought about it, but I think that would shake up the people who think humane farming is all about pampering farm animals.  I mean, if your chicken thighs from the freezer said they came from chickens that were raised 18 chickens per sq yard, wouldn’t that make you think twice about the animal cruelty you’re contributing to?  A square yard is a really small space.  And possibly stop complaining about how idiots want to lay a chocolate mint on the pillow of every farm animal these days?  Just a thought . . .

Categories : cruelty free, humane farming