Target: Steve Elfering, Board Chair, Potatoes USA
Goal: Prioritize and reward humane animal welfare outcomes in potato agriculture to mitigate harm to livestock and wildlife.
The intersection of potato cultivation and animal welfare is a growing concern as modern agricultural practices often overlook animal welfare in mixed-farming environments. It has been reported that current procurement systems frequently fail to account for the implications of potato farming on surrounding livestock and wildlife, leaving opportunities to enhance animal welfare unaddressed. As buyers in the potato supply chain have the potential to influence farming practices significantly, it is vital that they establish procurement standards that reward practices promoting animal welfare and ecosystem health.
Demanding animal welfare outcomes through procurement practices in potato farming is not just a moral choice; it’s an urgent necessity for creating a sustainable farming future. Shoppers increasingly seek accountability from brands regarding their entire supply chains, not just specific animal products. By not integrating humane practices into procurement mechanisms, buyers risk not only their brand reputation but also the welfare of the ecosystems in which they operate. It is essential to develop clearer, result-oriented procurement pathways that ensure that farmers are rewarded for choices that enhance animal welfare within the broader agricultural landscape.
This petition calls for immediate action to establish procurement policies that link potato supply chains to humane animal welfare outcomes. It is time for buyers to implement structured incentives and verification methods that promote welfare-friendly practices, thereby fostering a more compassionate and sustainable agricultural system.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Chair Elfering,
As stakeholders in the agriculture industry, there is a pressing responsibility to acknowledge and act upon the interplay between potato production and animal welfare. Procurement practices currently overlook the significant impact that potato farming has on both livestock and wildlife, inadvertently promoting agricultural practices that can lead to distress and harm in these communities. Animals are a part of the farming ecosystems surrounding potato fields, and without proper accountability and incentives, they suffer from the adverse effects of agricultural decisions.
The future of farming hinges on the implementation of humane procurement policies that explicitly link potato supply chains to animal welfare outcomes. By rewarding practices that reduce harm to wildlife and livestock, and fostering approaches such as habitat planning and responsible pest control, procurement systems can contribute to creating a more ethical food supply chain. Individuals in the agriculture sector have demonstrated a capability to drive substantial change when motivated by defined procurements; it is vital to extend this capability to animal welfare.
Therefore, we urge you to commit to adopting procurement policies that prioritize humane animal welfare practices in potato agriculture. By doing so, buyers can take meaningful steps toward ensuring that the farming practices connected to potato production benefit the animals, ecosystems, and communities involved.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pixabay
