Original post by SnuffleupagusAre you serious??!
You honestly think it would've made a blind bit of difference if the activist had simply approached the farmer??!! You have got to be kidding. What on earth do you think that would have achieved? Have you seen the footage? The kind of people we're talking about? People who kill pigs by swinging them by their legs and smashing their heads against a wall? You think these people would engage in constructive conversation? See the error of their ways and agree amicably to sacrifice their profits and improve welfare, because an animal advocate had asked them to? Please.
Undercover activists have to build up as strong a case as possible against the offenders, and this takes time. It's not a case of just whipping their phone out and starting to film whenever they spot something untoward - it takes time to integrate, build trust, and be allowed to see what *really* happens behind closed doors, let alone having to wait for opportunities to film unnoticed. I find the suggestion that they don't really care about animals offensive and a total nonsense. Why the hell do you think they mount campaigns in the first place?? They want to effect change. Not just on one farm - across the board. Which is why they can't just ask the farmer nicely to stop mistreating his/her animals please. Even if he/she did stop, what would that do for all the other animals being mistreated on other farms? Bugger all, that's what.
Unfortunately, when gathering evidence, they have to put the greater good ahead of that of the individual animal, which must be unimaginably distressing and painful, particularly since it's concern for animals that has driven them to be there in the first place. This is, however, the only way things will change. Just telling the public what goes on doesn't work - they have to see it with their own eyes before they'll think about changing their behaviour and, in doing so, force companies to change theirs.
With regard to the time delay, have you any idea how much work is involved in editing huge swathes of raw footage together - sorting through it all, making some kind of coherent piece? Also, sorting out legalities, preparing to release statements, footage etc. - particularly when you're locking horns with a company backed by an *extremely* powerful industry? It all takes time (it also takes money, which is pretty scarce at the moment). Anyway, why would a time delay = not having animal welfare at heart?? That's kind of reasoning is utterly spurious.
I have the utmost respect for these people, who have to face, and appear to support, things that go against everything they believe in, for months at a time. Thanks to them, evidence is gathered that has the potential to improve many more lives than I ever will as a vet.