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Oklahoma
OFB Commodity Committees Conference
State producers warned they could be extremists next target leading proponent of animal agriculture admonished Oklahoma livestock producers that they could be the next to be targeted by animal rights extremists. Steve Kopperud, representing Policy Directions, Inc., issued a stern warning to producers attending the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Commodity Committees Conference May 1 in Oklahoma City. “You need to rise to the occasion because the next state (targeted) could be Oklahoma.” Kopperud, senior vice president with the Washington, D.C.-based animal agriculture coalition, told the group that “you have to stand up and defend your right” to produce and market livestock.
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Become Activists “You must get off your duffs and become activists,” he declared. “One of the biggest issues we will deal with in the 2007 farm bill is animal rights.” He said the animal rights movement is being driven by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the small, fragmented radical groups hovering under its
wings for the last 20 years. “HSUS is all over Capital Hill. The perception is that it’s mainline. It carries the reputation with the public that it’s just here for animal protection. But is has many radical alliances. They are,” Kopperud cautioned, “dedicated to putting us out of business.” The debate is being driven by 14 percent of the population with a lot of time and money on their hands, he explained, adding that HSUS and organizations under its umbrella now boast 10 million members and an annual budget of $120 million. Finger Pointers “There is no science for their philosophy. They are expert at pointing the finger. They don’t offer solutions. They say it’s our job to point out your problems and your job to fix them. That’s the arrogance of HSUS,” Kopperud declared. He said he believes the animal rights issue – which proponents hope will eventually end the consumption of meat – will be punctuated during debate of the farm bill. “We have the greenest Congress ever. The
farm bill is an ugly_ _ _ process. HSUS agenda is to make it impractical the way we raise and market livestock.” He said HSUS and its radical affiliates have a goal of giving animals the same status as a custodial child or senior citizen. Go Backwards “Be vigilant, be aware if you see someone who wants to change the status of an animal,” Kopperud warned. “Do not allow them to turn organic or natural into a moral standard. “We have developed our system (of raising and marketing livestock) because it is more environmentally and economically friendly. Now the food industry is the only one being told to go backward. “It’s going to be tougher to stop them this time. If you wish to continue to progress, you have to stand up and defend your right to do so,” Kopperud proclaimed. “You need to organize, galvanize your energy and connect with D.C.” A Piece of Our Fabric Oklahoma State University agriculture
Steve Kopperud
Jeff Krehbiel 22 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2007
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