Tom Philpott, Grist’s senior food and agriculture writer, and co-founder
and core-group member at Maverick Farms, a center for sustainable food
education in Valle Crucis (NC), suggests that the two groups that would like
industrial agriculture to come to an end unite efforts to reach this goal.
The two groups to which he refers are: on one side conscientious omnivores,
who think that animals have a place in our farming and our diets, but in a
sustainable manner; and on the other side vegans, who believe there is no
need to exploit animals for food. Philpott argues that these two groups
share much in common: to put an end to factory farming; and therefore, he
suggests conscientious omnivores and vegans join "Vegan/Omnivore Alliance
against Animal Factories" as he calls it.
While it is evident that small scale farming is less abusive to farmed
animals and less detrimental to the environment than factory farming, it
nonetheless raises serious ethical questions. The unnecessary killing of any
of God’s creatures is of paramount consequences, not just for the creatures
in question but also for the ones who support it. It is not possible to feel
compassion or love while at the same time causing unnecessary harm.
Small scale farming might be the next necessary step in order to ultimately
reach the goal of extending our circle of compassion to all of God’s
Creation.
Read more at Animal Issues