2 types of activists challenge animal agriculture

When it comes to dealing with animal rights or environmental activists, those involved in livestock and poultry production must first identify what category the activist fits into, based on the passion of their beliefs. Some activists are so convinced animal agriculture is bad that they are unwilling to listen to other people’s viewpoints, Humphreys said.“Negotiation is not an option. Discussion and education is not an option,” he said.For example, in Ohio, many of the hardliners are pointing fingers at animal agriculture and blaming the industry for algae bloom problems in Lake Erie, according to Humphreys.“We have the hardliners around the lake. [They believe] there is no option but the shutting down of animal agriculture and that we are the problem in Lake Erie, and if we shut down all livestock production, that the lake will magically become better and the algae bloom will go away. The reality is that’s not true.”