02/04/08 Going proactive on animal rights

USDA has suspended Westland Meat Company of California from supplying federal good and nutrition programs after allegations of inhumane handling of non-ambulatory disabled cattle at a federally inspected slaughter plant. Two other federal agencies are now investigating the Westland case. While this is going on Colorado has decided to go proactive on the animal welfare issue. Farm Bureau's Troy Bradenkamp says animal rights groups have targeted Colorado. BRADENKAMP "I think their thought is if we can get animal rights implemented in Colorado then we can do it almost any where and so I that's why we're pretty high on their target list." There are several proposals being circulated. BRADENKAMP "Some of the proposed language that has been being circulated in Colorado would prohibit the use of gestation crates, battery cages for poultry and tethering of veal calves within four years." Bradenkamp says any approach taken by the Colorado livestock industry would be more scientific than that taken by animal rights groups. BRADENKAMP "Right now you have pure emotion being dumped into these kinds of issues and we cannot win emotion with science and so what we're looking at doing is making sure that the general public has confidence in agriculture's competence to take care of this issue themselves." Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott