Undercover Videos '" Animal Welfare or Food Politics?

The undercover video has become a weapon of choice in the animal rights movement, but is it accurate? Is it a means for legitimate change or is it harassment of a business? Where is the line drawn between documenting and creating abuse?

Recently the Humane Society of the United States came forth with yet another video, which like previous videos was released through a scheduled press opportunity. What was not said was that for several days Smithfield was already investigating on their own, before HSUS released their video. Indeed, as part of that investigation and to get to the people involved they wanted the uncut video to find and hold accountable those responsible.

"We have asked HSUS to aid our investigation by allowing us access to all of the raw footage shot at our facility. They have refused." This statement leaves little to misunderstand. If it is done for reasons of eliminating cruelty and the welfare of animals, why withhold evidence that would find those responsible?

Is this a legitimate means of change or just a new wave of politics?

"Unethical and completely political" is farm owner Ray Bowman's view. "When you accept a job, your goal should not be to discredit your employer and try to put them out of business. It's unconscionable deception, violation of trust and complete absence of ethics."

Farmer Darin Grimm eloquently posed another question in his blog. "Additional regulation, which seems to be the ultimate goal of groups like HSUS, won't improve the care of those animals the slightest bit, what it will do is drive those family farms out of business. You see, small family farms don't have the deep pockets of the corporate giants, they aren't able to make massive new investments in facilities/operating procedures on a few years notice. Their methods and care of the animals they raise has been built often over decades, even generations, it's done from the heart, not a law book. That's the message I wish HSUS could understand about the agriculture I know."

Still another farmer, Mark McHargue, directed his thoughts to an online release. " Integrity is doing the right thing all the time, not just when the cameras are on or if there is a profit. At a minimum the hogs have food, water and shelter everyday and we do not go home until that happens." This includes holidays, weekends and anniversaries. "Integrity is NOT what style of sow housing we use or whether we raise our hog organically or even if we use antibiotics in our feed. Integrity means that if we decide to use straw for bedding to keep our pigs warm, we make sure there is enough straw. If they're housed in a modern building with propane heaters to keep them warm and a deep pit for manure, we keep the pit fans running and the propane tanks full."

Others say that if not for undercover videos it wouldn't be exposed. Still others say if not for undercover videos it wouldn't have happened.Among the first to speak in outrage after an undercover video at a dairy farm was released were farmers themselves, demanding everyone involved be prosecuted. Activists wanted an exemption from prosecution for the camera operator, despite that he took part in hands on abuse and kept quiet for weeks, allowing it to continue in order to gain more tape.

Mike Barnett says in Texas Agriculture Talks " The vast majority of farmers and ranchers are true stewards of the environment. They take good care of their animals. But there's a whole movement out there who wants to change the way America eats. They are achieving their goals by attacking the modern agriculture miracle that feeds, clothes and fuels America and much of the world."

Wayne Pacelle of HSUS charges "Agribusiness interests don't want Americans to examine how pigs, chickens, and other animals are mistreated on industrial animal factories. They are resorting to distraction and deception to keep the focus off their practices, and we hope the media is discerning and does not fall for their cheap trick."

Are you confused yet? Does it sound like politics? While it sounds like he said-she said journalism in sound bites it's about a very real point. What you eat.

HSUS says they don't have a vegan agenda and support "humane" treatment, but give only vegetarian recipes on their website. At many of their gatherings it is vegan only, even if you carry your own lunch in.

More than that is the concern of allowing cruelty to continue, sometimes for months, without reporting it. Why release an undercover dairy video in mid summer when people are buying ice cream and making cheeseburgers? Why release an undercover hog video the weekend before people are buying their Christmas ham? Coincidence?

The fact is more than any time in the past farmers are, through technology, bringing you the consumer into barns and to their farms from the comfort of your home. You see a hog barn, chicken barn, dairy and beef cattle operation and much more. Not with the fanfare and press but the every day operation that is normal in the agriculture industry. Some videos show issues that affect agriculture.

These may be small farms or large ones, but each eager to tell their story. It's said that farms aren't regulated but in these you'll see that just isn't true - there IS regulation. Some would say farmers are afraid to talk but in fact there are many EAGER to talk and do so through series like the "Faces of Farming" series.

The next time you see a horrible video about the abuses in agriculture ask yourself how much could be not totally true. What makes sense? What doesn't? If it's "all about profit" why would farms mistreat and kill animals that reduces profit? Ask yourself how much is true. Better yet - ask a farmer. There are many available!