Nonhuman Animal Rights, Alternative Food Systems, and the Non-Profit Industrial Complex

Corey Lee Wrenn

doi:10.22329/p.v8i2.4093

Abstract

Alternative food systems (namely the humane product movement) have arisen to address societal concerns with the treatment of Nonhuman Animals in food production. This paper presents an abolitionist Nonhuman Animal rights approach (Francione, 1996) and critiques these alternative systems as problematic in regards to goals of considering the rights or welfare of Nonhuman Animals. It is proposed that the trend in social movement professionalization within the structure of a non-profit industrial complex will ultimately favor compromises like “humane” products over more radical abolitionist solutions to the detriment of Nonhuman Animals. This paper also discusses potential compromises for alternative food systems that acknowledge equal consideration for Nonhuman Animals, focusing on grassroots veganism as a necessary component for consistency and effectiveness.

Highlights

In response to concerns over the treatment of animals in the food industry, the humane product movement and welfare-focused Nonhuman Animal1 advocacy have arisen to create an alternate system of food production, one that has gained significant attention in the past 30 years (Singer and Mason 4)
Improved humaneness means little to the welfare of the Nonhuman Animals who continue to be used and killed in these alternative systems
The continued oppression of Nonhuman Animals in alternative food systems perpetuates the property status of Nonhuman Animals, undermining their interests in avoiding harm and death. The existence of these alternative systems might have the effect of increasing the consumption of Nonhuman Animal products if they obscure any criticisms or uncertainties the public might have previously held regarding Nonhuman Animal exploitation (Francione, Animals as Persons 16)

Summary

Introduction

- 210 PhaenEx inherent to both traditional and alternative food systems, are incompatible with any Nonhuman Animal rights or welfare ethic. Using the abolitionist Nonhuman Animal rights theory framework, it is argued that alternative agricultural systems maintain the property-status of other animals and this undermines any serious consideration for their well-being This shortcoming is likely indicative of the non-profit industrial complex that encourages organizations to prioritize funding over radical social change (Smith 9). This alternative food industry, fails to challenge Nonhuman Animal use, and instead exploits public concern with Nonhuman Animal suffering and death. - 232 PhaenEx like PETA, Farm Sanctuary, Vegan Outreach, and HSUS shy away from vegan claimsmaking, instead focusing on welfare reform, harm reduction, and even the besmirching of veganism and abolitionism

Conclusion

Findings

Works Cited