Nonhuman Animal Rights, Alternative Food Systems, and the Non-Profit Industrial Complex

In response to concerns over the treatment of animals in the food industry, the humane

product movement and welfare-focused Nonhuman Animal1

advocacy have arisen to create an

alternate system of food production, one that has gained significant attention in the past 30 years

(Singer and Mason 4). The industry-led humane product movement seeks to capitalize on public

concern with Nonhuman Animal welfare in improving the “humaneness” of their products. The

Nonhuman Animal advocacy movement seeks to address concerns with welfare by advocating

industry reform. Ultimately, these shared goals mean that the two parties often cooperate for

mutual benefit. As neither position challenges the property status of other animals, this paper

argues that neither position is properly equipped to extend moral consideration to Nonhuman

Animals. This paper also suggests that the shortcomings of advocacy groups reflect a desire to

cooperate with state and industry out of self interest, which necessitates that they compromise

goals and marginalize radical alternatives to Nonhuman Animal exploitation.