ACTION ALERT: Smear Campaign in Arizona Targets Swine Vets

October 11, 2006 — Don Davidson

Early voting has begun in Arizona where a campaign to outlaw the use of stalls to house gestating sows in Arizona enters its last month. To help defeat the smear campaign against animal agriculture and swine veterinarians in Arizona, make a donation or register your endorsement by visiting the No-on-204 campaign at http://www.azfarmersranchers.com.

This week, ballots began to reach Arizonans who will be asked to vote on a measure initiated and funded by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Farm Sanctuary, which would establish criminal penalties for livestock producers who use stalls.

Throughout the campaign, supporters of Proposition 204 have tried to divide the veterinary community, pitting companion animal vets against large animal practitioners. A key part of the activists' political strategy has been to disparage swine veterinarians, charging that their motives are driven by profit, rather than the welfare of animals.

The activists, who are appealing to the emotions of Arizonans not familiar with humane livestock practices, are ignoring the extensive record of scientific research and real world experience which shows that the use of stalls promotes the welfare of breeding sows.

Large animal veterinarians, like small animal veterinarians, are sworn to protect animal health and relieve animal suffering. Generations of real life experience and decades of scientific research affirm that the use of gestation stalls is indeed humane.

To help defeat the smear campaign against animal agriculture and swine veterinarians in Arizona, make a donation or register your endorsement by visiting the No-on-204 campaign at http://www.azfarmersranchers.com.

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Don Davidson, AASV Board of Directors District 10 Representative