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MnFRAC took a leadership role in bringing attention
to the critical subjects of Livestock Show Ethics and
Quality Assurance. "Just Do the Right Thing"
was the theme of the seminar conducted by Dr. Jeff Goodwin,
nationally recognized expert in animal welfare issues
and livestock show ethics as part of MnFRAC's annual
meeting on April 8, 2000. This event was co-sponsored
with the University of Minnesota Extension Service and
the Minnesota 4-H Foundation. Sixty people representing
livestock exhibitors, livestock show managers and policy
makers, county fair board members, extension educators,
4-H adult and youth volunteers from across the state
attended the session.
"Many people say that we cannot legislate or regulate
morality. That may be true to a large extent, but we
can educate morality. Honesty, integrity and treating
others the way you would like to be treated are examples
of ethical principles that can and should be taught."
Goodwin's approach is to teach people to determine if
a particular livestock showing practice is ethical or
unethical by the use of several key questions:
Does the practice violate Federal Drug Administration
law?
Is it a fraudulent misrepresentation of the animal?
Does the practice compromise the welfare of the animal?
If any of these questions are answered yes, the practice
is unacceptable. Two additional questions could be asked
if there is a gray area that cannot be cleared up with
these first three questions:
Does the practice have anything to do with real world,
commercial agriculture?
Will the public stand for it?
If one of these last two questions is answered no, a
red flag is raised and the practice needs to be analyzed
to ensure that it is acceptable.
Dr. Goodwin emphatically stated that you can teach ethics
to children and young adults. He reported research studies
showing that ethics education is effective and changes
both attitudes and behaviors of show persons.
Quality assurance related to the production of a wholesome
food supply is another critical prong in the effort
to help a livestock show person to "Just Do the
Right Thing." Quality assurance means attention
to proper injection sites, proper nutrition, reading
and following the label on animal health products, proper
handling, care and facilities. These and other topics
were presented with humor, creative visuals and common
sense examples.
MnFRAC's Quality Assurance/Livestock Ethics Educational
Program for youth, is a result of this seminar.
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