6 May 2020

“Hard Decisions: How Consumers View Mass Depopulation,”
Progressive Farmer, May 4, 2020

“Many opposed to animal agriculture are vigorously attacking the idea of euthanasia of livestock, hoping awareness created now of how production animals are depopulated will move forward their agendas in the years to come. Karen Davis, president of Virginia's United Poultry Concerns (UPC) told this reporter she is vehemently opposed to even the use of the word ‘euthanasia’ in response to the current situation.”

Read the article here:
How Consumers View Mass Depopulation.

This article reflects aspects of a phone interview with UPC president, Karen Davis, conducted by Progressive Farmer reporter Victoria G. Myers, on April 29, 2020. The interview was prompted by UPC’s News Release:

“Depopulation” of Poultry Does Not Mean “Humanely Killed.”

The article shifts focus to how farmers and ranchers view mass depopulation, and how farmers should manage public perception with stories about their suffering, including sharing that “you are an animal lover.”

Chickens in trash dead and alive.
Unwanted chickens are “euthanized” routinely by the poultry & egg industries.
Photo by Mercy For Animals