A lot of us in the movement use the phrase “farmed animals” instead of “farm animals.” Can you explain why?
I think our language is very important. The way that we talk about animals, when we talk about companion animals, for example, it’s a much more respectful way of talking about dogs and cats. In terms of farmed animals, the reason we prefer to use that term is to really bring to life the fact that these animals are victims of the farming industry and that they really should not be kept in these conditions and that they are animals that deserve to be free of that sort of exploitation on their own.
Could you tell me about your undercover investigation in California?
Our organization recently did an undercover investigation at Gemperle Enterprises, which is one of the largest egg factory farms in California. Our investigator worked at this facility for nearly two months and wore a hidden camera and documented the conditions that were taking place at this egg farm, where the birds are kept in tiny cages where they can’t even spread their wings, many of them covered in feces from the other birds that they’re living with. Five to seven birds are kept in each file drawer-sized cage for the rest of their lives. These birds can’t spread their wings. They can’t walk. They can’t perch. They can’t dust-bathe. They can’t engage in hardly any natural behaviors. We also documented violent handling with employees of the facility ripping birds out of cages and throwing them into metal kill cars where they were then gassed with carbon dioxide. Dead birds left to rot in cages, birds with untreated infections, etc. And we went public with this investigation a few months ago and encouraged voters to vote yes on Proposition 2, which would essentially eliminate the use of battery cages in California. This investigation, as well as dozens of others across the country in recent years, has shown that the battery cages are inherently cruel. It deprives animals of really every natural instinct that they have.
Is your family still in the farm business?
My father is now vegan actually, and we have soybeans and corn crops now, but there are no animals that are eaten.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I would just encourage people to visit our ChooseVeg.com website. We have lots of videos on this online resource, vegan cooking videos, as well as undercover investigation videos. Lots of resources and tips, and people can order a free vegetarian starter kit on the website as well.
