In the USA it will be unable to market milk after December 31, 2015 without a signature from each farm committing to producing “rbST-free milk”. In the dairy industry a ban on using BST always gives rise to a discussion that there are no negative effects of BST, it is a hormone that every cow makes herself in her body, and it is safe for consumption, so why should it not be allowed? As an example of this, read the opening of August 2015’s edition of the -excellent as always- W.H. Miner Institute’s Farm Report.
The crucial point is not the scientific evidence about the fact that BST-use is safe for both humans consuming milk, milk products and meat, and for the cows. Although the swellings on the injection site of BST suggests painful tissue reactions.
The crucial point is respect for the cow. Each cow is an animal that has the right to be a cow, to behave as a cow and to live a positive life.
“The public” does not regard cows as machines and does not respect people who do so. Machines can be manipulated in any way, have no perceptions, no stress and no pain sensitisation. Machines you can inject with hormones regardlessly, to increase and manipulate outcomes.
As mr. Frits van der Schans of the Dutch Centre of Agriculture and Environment has put it in an interview in the dairy farmers magazine Veeteelt: “A cow is not a thing.” He also said: “What would otherwise be the added value of cows milk compared to soya-milk?” (quotes translated by Vetvice).
For the good reader: the same is the case with routine use of synchronized breeding practices, like OvSync. The public, the society does not want this!!!
When the society looses respect for dairy farming, it will not want to pay for dairy products. Good milk prices are founded on respect from society for both dairy farmers as for dairy products.
The dairy industry has a good future as long as it gives cows, consumers and environment the respect they deserve.
Vetvice and the CowSignals say: “Happy cows, happy farmers” and “Happy cows, happy consumers, happy planet”.
Source: CowSignals
