Obama's New Secretary of Agriculture
Animal Friend or Foe?
Originally published in Animal World magazine
The inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States on January 20, 2009 signals the dawn of a new political era in America. And yet, even many dedicated supporters of the historic candidate already question just how different an Obama Administration will be, considering that most of his nominees for top cabinet posts are well-connected political insiders. One less-than-enthusiastically-received appointee is former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack, Obama’s pick for head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
As Secretary of Agriculture, Vilsack will set policies affecting billions of animals raised and slaughtered for food every year in the U.S., and have the power to promote much-needed animal welfare, food security and environmental regulations. On the other hand, he could choose to continue the USDA’s business-as-usual approach of supporting inhumane, unsafe and ecologically-destructive factory farming practices simply because they increase profit margins for agribusiness corporations. Animal advocates and other concerned members of society should therefore ask: based on Vilsack’s track record, will he meet the challenge of making America’s food production system less cruel to animals, healthier for people and communities, and more environmentally sustainable?
As governor of one of the nation's largest agricultural states from 1998 to 2006, Vilsack took inconsistent positions on animal welfare issues, often tending toward compromise with the formidable financial forces of factory farming. For instance, industrial hog farms proliferated in Iowa during Vilsack's tenure, contributing to a crisis last summer when the southeastern part of the state was deluged with floods, an emergency that compelled authorities to ask for Farm Sanctuary’s help in rescuing pigs from drowning. Vilsack and his wife also reportedly received more than $42,000 in subsidies from the USDA during his two terms as governor.
However, Vilsack has also sometimes defied Big Ag by supporting animal protection measures and vetoing a bill that would have prevented Iowa from making the state’s environmental requirements for factory farms stronger than the federal government’s. In addition, Vilsack (like Obama) favors shifting taxpayer-funded agricultural subsidies away from “corporate megafarms” toward independent farmers using sustainable methods, a move that would help preserve the environment and revitalize rural culture.
Given Vilsack's mixed record on key issues, animal advocates and other citizens have reason to be both wary and cautiously optimistic as he takes the helm at the USDA. That is, if Vilsack — and President Obama — truly make serving the interests of the American people their overriding priority, the former Iowa governor could become just the Secretary of Agriculture our country needs at this crucial juncture.
To become an effective reformer, however, Vilsack needs to know what his constituency wants, and that he will gain our trust and support by instituting humane and sustainable agriculture policies. It is therefore up to each and every one of us to push for a new direction at the USDA over the next four or more years. Please speak up by visiting www.change.gov and emailing president-elect Obama about the dire need for factory farming reform.
Originally published in Animal World magazine
The inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States on January 20, 2009 signals the dawn of a new political era in America. And yet, even many dedicated supporters of the historic candidate already question just how different an Obama Administration will be, considering that most of his nominees for top cabinet posts are well-connected political insiders. One less-than-enthusiastically-received appointee is former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack, Obama’s pick for head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
As Secretary of Agriculture, Vilsack will set policies affecting billions of animals raised and slaughtered for food every year in the U.S., and have the power to promote much-needed animal welfare, food security and environmental regulations. On the other hand, he could choose to continue the USDA’s business-as-usual approach of supporting inhumane, unsafe and ecologically-destructive factory farming practices simply because they increase profit margins for agribusiness corporations. Animal advocates and other concerned members of society should therefore ask: based on Vilsack’s track record, will he meet the challenge of making America’s food production system less cruel to animals, healthier for people and communities, and more environmentally sustainable?
As governor of one of the nation's largest agricultural states from 1998 to 2006, Vilsack took inconsistent positions on animal welfare issues, often tending toward compromise with the formidable financial forces of factory farming. For instance, industrial hog farms proliferated in Iowa during Vilsack's tenure, contributing to a crisis last summer when the southeastern part of the state was deluged with floods, an emergency that compelled authorities to ask for Farm Sanctuary’s help in rescuing pigs from drowning. Vilsack and his wife also reportedly received more than $42,000 in subsidies from the USDA during his two terms as governor.
However, Vilsack has also sometimes defied Big Ag by supporting animal protection measures and vetoing a bill that would have prevented Iowa from making the state’s environmental requirements for factory farms stronger than the federal government’s. In addition, Vilsack (like Obama) favors shifting taxpayer-funded agricultural subsidies away from “corporate megafarms” toward independent farmers using sustainable methods, a move that would help preserve the environment and revitalize rural culture.
Given Vilsack's mixed record on key issues, animal advocates and other citizens have reason to be both wary and cautiously optimistic as he takes the helm at the USDA. That is, if Vilsack — and President Obama — truly make serving the interests of the American people their overriding priority, the former Iowa governor could become just the Secretary of Agriculture our country needs at this crucial juncture.
To become an effective reformer, however, Vilsack needs to know what his constituency wants, and that he will gain our trust and support by instituting humane and sustainable agriculture policies. It is therefore up to each and every one of us to push for a new direction at the USDA over the next four or more years. Please speak up by visiting www.change.gov and emailing president-elect Obama about the dire need for factory farming reform.
