The Effects Of Organic Food On Animal Cruelty

One of the basic principles of the USDA National Organic Program is animal welfare in organic farming. According to federal standards, organic animal products are to be free from toxins, pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. Animals are to be treated in such a way that promotes their health. This includes adequate housing to prevent overcrowding, periodic access to the outdoors, diet of organic feed, good handling, and veterinary treatment.

The organic label on organic food and meat from animals certifies the animal has been raised and processed under federal regulations.

However, certified organic food from animals doesn't necessarily mean it is free from cruelty. Organic animals can still be subject to animal cruelty. The NOP standards fail to address many practices that are cruel to farm animals and livestock. One area in which animal cruelty is still practiced on organic farms is through animal handling and mutilations. Electronic prods and forced molting and weaning are still practiced on some organic farms. Cattle on organic farms have their horns sawed off and are branded by hot irons leaving them with third degree burns. Organic pigs have their tails chopped off and chunks of their ears cut out. Chickens on organic farms suffer from animal cruelty in the form of debeaking practices. Because of NOP standards none of these animals are given painkillers.

There has also been some bending of NOP standards when it comes to animals on organic farms. According to federal regulations, animals are only allowed to be temporarily confined under certain circumstances. However, some certifying agents have allowed poultry and egg farmers to use this loophole to keep birds confined indoors most of the time. These birds are subjected to the same animal cruelty practiced on factory farms in which birds are crammed into overcrowded pens and cages in which they can barely move. Also, some organic dairy farms have been allowed to house cows without access to pasture as is required by regulations. Instead, the cows are subjected to animal cruelty when they are kept in dark sheds with concrete floors and are forced to stand for long periods of time.

The federal regulations of the NOP are vague and inconsistently applied. The regulations need to be more strictly enforced and amended in order to address animal cruelty issues that have been overlooked. Organic farming is based on the principles of health and sustainability. Animal welfare should not be limited to freedom from toxins and chemicals, periodic access to the outdoors, and spacious pens. Organic animals should be free from all forms of animal cruelty in order to live up to the ideals promoted by organic agriculture.