Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:
'Why the beef?' is better slogan
By Joanne Hedge
Regarding “Beef back on menu at schools” (Feb. 16-17), about the horrific animal cruelty caught on video at Chino-based Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. recently by an undercover agent of the Humane Society of the United States: The reporter’s inclusion of a description of the humane society as “an animal rights organization based in Washington, D.C.” seemed unnecessary, given the long history of this respected humane organization. (One recent example of its nationwide promotion of humane practices and legislation was its response to the 2007 dog-fighting case resulting in the sentencing of football star Michael Vick.)
The society offers rewards of up to $5,000 to citizens who provide tips resulting in the arrest and conviction of persons involved in animal fighting.
The Humane Society of the United States agent in Chino, according to news stories I’ve seen, was on an unrelated mission at the plant when he was surprised to see that most of the cattle slaughtered there were former dairy cows who were already in bad shape on arrival.
The agent was reportedly hired on using his real name and identification, and he reported being physically and emotionally drained from his six weeks of undercover taping of events leading up to the killing floors.
Without his report, the offenses of cruelty would likely have continued, along with endangerment of the human food supply because sometimes “downed” cattle are evidence of mad cow disease.
Sadly, the other probability is that the hapless creatures, after serving out their lives as perpetually pregnant milk suppliers, were weakened and injured in the grueling process from factory farm to slaughterhouse through which pigs, chickens and sheep are also made to suffer.
Two Hallmark workers, one an undocumented immigrant, were arraigned, and the plant closed. Congressional members have called for a federal investigation of National School Lunch Program food safety.
The federal Government Accountability Office has also gotten involved.
As the largest beef recall in the nation’s history, which prompted schools including this city’s to pull beef from their menus temporarily, repeated failures by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to adequately oversee food safety continue to trouble consumers and officials, including the scandal involving American foods tainted by additives and ingredients from some sources in China.
But the Chino meatpacking issue also begs the question: Why the demand for so much meat and dairy in the human diet?
Decades of research strongly suggests that a swap of animal-based protein for a more vegetable-based diet not only sustains and promotes human well-being, but can reduce and prevent many of today’s commonly accepted and life-threatening diseases that involve medication, hospitalization, surgery and time lost from a normal and long life. At the very least and without undue alarm, concern should be given for the young, the very ones who depend upon school cafeterias for wholesome nutrition, but who also grapple with increasing obesity and attention “disorders.”
The young are more flexible and receptive than they are given credit for, and a surprising number are aware of the price paid in human health and animal welfare that relates to ranching, farming and processing practices which also hugely impact the land, air and water — all in the name of ground beef.
Why not encourage school kids to embody a new, less indifferent generation that would thrive on a lifestyle independent of a perceived need for products sourced in often archaic, cruel, wasteful, demeaning and unhealthy practices?
Maybe their elders, if they haven’t already, will also be drawn to a growing awareness of the value of sustenance from smaller local and regional resources that ascribe to sustainable, organic — and humane — practices. Perhaps it’s time to ask not “Where’s the beef?” but “Why the beef?”
JOANNE HEDGE is a Glendale resident.
The society offers rewards of up to $5,000 to citizens who provide tips resulting in the arrest and conviction of persons involved in animal fighting.
The Humane Society of the United States agent in Chino, according to news stories I’ve seen, was on an unrelated mission at the plant when he was surprised to see that most of the cattle slaughtered there were former dairy cows who were already in bad shape on arrival.
The agent was reportedly hired on using his real name and identification, and he reported being physically and emotionally drained from his six weeks of undercover taping of events leading up to the killing floors.
advertisement
Sadly, the other probability is that the hapless creatures, after serving out their lives as perpetually pregnant milk suppliers, were weakened and injured in the grueling process from factory farm to slaughterhouse through which pigs, chickens and sheep are also made to suffer.
Two Hallmark workers, one an undocumented immigrant, were arraigned, and the plant closed. Congressional members have called for a federal investigation of National School Lunch Program food safety.
The federal Government Accountability Office has also gotten involved.
As the largest beef recall in the nation’s history, which prompted schools including this city’s to pull beef from their menus temporarily, repeated failures by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to adequately oversee food safety continue to trouble consumers and officials, including the scandal involving American foods tainted by additives and ingredients from some sources in China.
But the Chino meatpacking issue also begs the question: Why the demand for so much meat and dairy in the human diet?
Decades of research strongly suggests that a swap of animal-based protein for a more vegetable-based diet not only sustains and promotes human well-being, but can reduce and prevent many of today’s commonly accepted and life-threatening diseases that involve medication, hospitalization, surgery and time lost from a normal and long life. At the very least and without undue alarm, concern should be given for the young, the very ones who depend upon school cafeterias for wholesome nutrition, but who also grapple with increasing obesity and attention “disorders.”
The young are more flexible and receptive than they are given credit for, and a surprising number are aware of the price paid in human health and animal welfare that relates to ranching, farming and processing practices which also hugely impact the land, air and water — all in the name of ground beef.
Why not encourage school kids to embody a new, less indifferent generation that would thrive on a lifestyle independent of a perceived need for products sourced in often archaic, cruel, wasteful, demeaning and unhealthy practices?
Maybe their elders, if they haven’t already, will also be drawn to a growing awareness of the value of sustenance from smaller local and regional resources that ascribe to sustainable, organic — and humane — practices. Perhaps it’s time to ask not “Where’s the beef?” but “Why the beef?”
JOANNE HEDGE is a Glendale resident.
Save/Share
 |
 |
|
| COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Tips for a good ballot experience |
EDITORIAL: City has done a nice job clearing the local air |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of burbankleader.com.
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
Not registered yet?
RSS