PETA Grills up Meaty Conversation

By: Andrew Walker

It was with a unified force that students from MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources came together to have a healthy debate with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ senior vice president of campaigns, Dan Matthews, on Sep. 10.

The MSU student organization SPAR, Students Protecting Animal Rights, brought PETA’s Animal Liberation campaign to campus. The long term goal of the liberation campaign is to free all animals that are held in captivity, including animals on farms, in zoos, and in any other form of captivity, excluding some pets. The exhibit compares animal cruelty to that of human torture in cases like the civil rights movement and concentration camps in Europe during World War II.

PETA, being the largest animal rights group in the world, focuses on ensuring that animals are treated humanely and actively campaigns for animals to gain rights. Matthews stressed this goal as he talked to the crowd on campus.

The group attending the discussion consisted primarily of MSU students. Though some PETA enthusiasts showed up for the lecture to show their support, the Wells Hall lecture room consisted of a much larger group of agricultural supporters.

PETA’s message was made clear as Matthews answered questions on every aspect of animal welfare: animals should be set free to roam the earth, without human involvement.

“Of course we would love to see a vegan world,” Matthews said.

However, Matthews dodged questions on how animal freedom would impact the placement of a large quantity of livestock into the wild. In addition, agriculture supporters pointed out that these animals would destroy crops, be worrisome on highways and spread disease, possibly leading to any number of pandemics.

It was points like this that prompted animal agriculture proponents to fire back and illustrate the role that agriculture plays in the state of Michigan and in the nation as a whole.

As the second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation, Michigan produces more than 200 commodities ranging from milk and meat, to apples, cherries and everything in-between. Of the 53, 315 farms in Michigan, over ninety percent are family owned. Students pointed out that Michigan agriculturists are using the newest technologies to help improve every aspect of their farms, allowing farmers to stay competitive in a globalized economic system, while allowing them to bring farm fresh products to Americans.

Agricultural education and animal science senior Joseph Ankley said that he enjoyed promoting Michigan farming and feels it is important for the future of the industry.

“Many of us that showed up were raised on dairy, swine, or beef operations, and we know the importance of family farms to Michigan’s economy, consumers and rural community,” said Ankley. “Humane treatment is and has been an important practice for all farmers. Although we disagree with the goal of SPAR and PETA, we realize the importance of a healthy debate and enjoyed providing information and arguments to counter the propaganda that PETA has created.”