This November, Denver voters will probably be requested to ban slaughterhouses within the Metropolis of Denver.
What many could not understand is that there’s just one USDA-inspected slaughterhouse in Denver that processes lamb domestically. Underneath the guise of animal welfare, this poll initiative targets that one employee-owned enterprise and would remove the roles of the 160 hardworking workers, doubtlessly resulting in a major financial downturn within the space.
In my 24-year profession with the Colorado Wool Growers Affiliation, I’ve had the chance to go to slaughterhouses and see firsthand the humane harvesting practices for each sheep and cattle.
Livestock, poultry, and fish are harvested to offer important vitamins in our diets (solely 4% of the U.S. inhabitants are vegetarians). Our obligation to humanity and the planet is to make sure that animals are handled humanely from beginning to demise, that we’re good stewards of the land, and to maintain and enhance our surroundings. Finest administration practices for animal welfare and land administration are the muse for elevating wholesome livestock that enter the provision chain for customers.
This facility in Denver particularly sought out the experience of Dr. Temple Grandin, the world-renowned animal welfare knowledgeable, autism advocate, and professor of animal science at Colorado State College to make sure the processing facility meets the very best requirements in animal care. Her groundbreaking work within the space of humane animal remedy is a every day observe on the Superior Farms facility in Denver.
Over the following a number of months, you’ll hear some overheated rhetoric from the proponents of this ban who need to finish livestock manufacturing in Colorado (not less than, that’s what they’d on their web site a couple of months in the past). As you kind via the arguments, ask your self, “Is dismantling our native meals provide chain and forcing customers to depend on imported meat determination?” U.S. dependency on international international locations for important merchandise undermines our nation’s independence.
We stay in unsure instances, and U.S. meals safety needs to be a prime precedence for our nation. Superior Farms is essential in offering healthful USDA-inspected protein to native and regional grocery shops, eating places, and different meals service suppliers.
Final month, the Regional Financial Improvement Institute at Colorado State College revealed a examine on the potential impacts of the slaughterhouse ban. Based on the examine, this ban would remove over $800 million in financial exercise and a couple of,787 jobs. I might add that it will additionally harm the atmosphere by forcing grocery shops to import lamb merchandise from abroad whereas unnecessarily driving up meals prices to customers.
Ought to a vocal minority be capable to disrupt the meals provide chain, drive up meals prices, and create further hardships for households already struggling to purchase groceries? Ought to 160 employee-owners be compelled to surrender good-paying jobs with well being care and retirement advantages? Please vote no on the proposed slaughterhouse ban.
Bonnie Brown-Eddy is the chief director of the Colorado Wool Growers Affiliation.
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