A Farm Tour Worth a Thousand Words: ASPCA Connects Lawmakers and Farmers to Inspire Better Policies – ASPCA

Report on Advancing Sustainable and Humane Farming Practices Aligned with SDGs

Introduction

Every year, billions of farm animals suffer under the industrial factory farming system. This report highlights efforts by thousands of independent, pasture-based farmers across the United States who are demonstrating that humane and sustainable farming practices are both possible and necessary. The ASPCA collaborates with these farmers and ranchers to advocate for a food system that aligns with the values of compassion, animal welfare, and sustainability, supporting several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Farm Tours: Demonstrating Higher Welfare Farming

Overview of Farm Visits

To provide policymakers with direct experience of sustainable farming, the ASPCA organized visits to two Virginia farms, showcasing the benefits and challenges of higher welfare farming:

1. Kinloch Farm, The Plains, VA: A 3,000-acre pasture-based, certified Animal Welfare Approved beef cattle operation. Visitors observed cattle grazing on native grasses, illustrating the stark contrast to stressful feedlot conditions common in industrial beef production.
2. Whiffletree Farm, Warrenton, VA: A diversified farm raising broiler chickens, laying hens, turkeys, and pigs in pasture-based systems. Policymakers engaged with animals exhibiting natural behaviors such as rooting and roaming freely, which are impossible in factory farms.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Congressional staff were accompanied by farmers and advocates from organizations including the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, Farm Aid, Food Animal Concerns Trust, and Food and Water Watch.
• Discussions emphasized the negative impacts of industrial agriculture on animal welfare, community health, environmental sustainability, and the livelihoods of farmers.

Congressional Briefing: Policy Advocacy for Sustainable Farming

Key Messages from the Briefing

The ASPCA hosted a Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill featuring farmers and advocates from the farm tours. The panel highlighted the following critical points:

• Current federal policies, including those under the Farm Bill and USDA programs, heavily favor industrial agriculture, which produces over 95% of U.S. meat, eggs, and dairy, creating barriers for independent, higher welfare farmers.
• Higher welfare, pasture-based farms contribute to animal welfare, financial stability for farmers, and healthier rural communities, aligning with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Small investments in humane farming systems could transform the food and farm system toward sustainability and resilience.

Panelist Insights

1. Craig Watts, Director of the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project’s Contract Grower Transition Project, criticized factory farming’s focus on rapid, cheap production at the expense of animal welfare.
2. Jesse Straight, Owner of Whiffletree Farm, emphasized that pasture-based farming supports animal health and resilience against diseases like bird flu, highlighting the environmental and health risks of confined animal feeding operations.
3. Daisy Freund, ASPCA Vice President of Farm Animal Welfare, pointed out that the true costs of factory farming are externalized to taxpayers through environmental cleanup and public health impacts.

Policy Recommendations

Panelists advocated for legislative support to promote sustainable farming practices, including:

• The Industrial Agriculture Conversion Act: Funding transitions from factory farming to pasture-based or crop production.
• The Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act: Holding industrial agriculture accountable for disaster planning and humane depopulation methods.
• The EQIP Improvement Act: Redirecting conservation funding to support independent, higher welfare farmers instead of factory farm infrastructure.

Additionally, caution was advised regarding the EATS Act, which could undermine markets for higher welfare farmers and negatively affect animal welfare.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Supporting higher welfare, pasture-based farming systems is essential to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals by promoting animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and community health. Stakeholders are encouraged to join the ASPCA’s Factory Farming Task Force to stay informed and take action toward building a more humane and sustainable food system.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses sustainable farming practices and food systems that align with humane treatment of animals and environmental health, which relate to ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The focus on healthier food systems and public health consequences of factory farming connects to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Advocating for higher welfare, pasture-based farming practices supports sustainable consumption and production patterns.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – The article mentions environmental impacts of industrial agriculture and the benefits of conservation funding, linking to climate action and environmental sustainability.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land – The emphasis on animal welfare, biodiversity, and conservation practices ties into protecting terrestrial ecosystems and promoting sustainable land use.
6. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The call for policy change, accountability, and legislation to support humane farming practices relates to promoting just, accountable institutions.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 2 Targets:
   • 2.3 – By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, including through secure and equal access to land, resources, and markets.
   • 2.4 – Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 3 Targets:
   • 3.9 – Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
3. SDG 12 Targets:
   • 12.2 – Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • 12.4 – Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes.
4. SDG 13 Targets:
   • 13.2 – Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
5. SDG 15 Targets:
   • 15.1 – Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • 15.5 – Take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt biodiversity loss.
6. SDG 16 Targets:
   • 16.6 – Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • 16.7 – Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Animal Welfare Indicators: Implied through descriptions of animal behaviors (e.g., pigs rooting freely, birds living natural lives) and the transition from factory farming to pasture-based systems.
2. Farm Productivity and Economic Stability: Indicators such as farmers’ financial stability and ability to compete in the marketplace, linked to target 2.3.
3. Environmental Impact Indicators: Implied through references to conservation funding, manure lagoon infrastructure, and environmental cleanup costs.
4. Public Health Indicators: Mention of disease outbreaks like bird flu and health consequences of industrial farming practices.
5. Policy and Institutional Indicators: The existence and enforcement of laws and policies supporting humane farming, disaster planning, and accountability (e.g., Industrial Agriculture Conversion Act, Accountability Act).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: aspca.org