Martin Gould

Working on farm animal welfare research and grants at Coefficient Giving🐔📈 Views my own. Interested in economics, policy and bouldering

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

I started a blog called 'Shadow Price' — a reference to costs markets fail to price, and the hidden nature of factory farming

The first post is a short case for why we should, and can, improve farm animal welfare

Sign up for regular posts (link in thread)

[Lewis Bollard @Lewis_Bollard]

Denmark's new government just announced major pig welfare reforms.

They're banning the practices of restraining sows in farrowing crates, breeding them beyond their natural limits, and cutting off piglets' tails.

They're also requiring pigs get more space and rooting material. And they're stepping up farm inspections and penalties for cruelty.

All while the US Congress is trying to wipe out the few state laws that protect pigs via the Save Our Bacon Act buried in the farm bill.

Denmark just showed what's possible for pigs when voters demand it — and politicians listen.

[David Coman-Hidy @davidcomanhidy]

I've been working on farm animal protection for a while now, and I haven't seen anything quite like what's happening around the Save Our Bacon Act.

People who have never organized before, including some genuinely prominent voices, are hosting events, calling senators, and fundraising from friends. And those of us who have been here a while, across many ideological divides and every strategic disagreement, are showing up together.

We've always punched above our weight (out of necessity!), but this feels substantively very different. The political and social cost of supporting this barbarism is finally rising.

[Lewis Bollard @Lewis_Bollard]

Three powerful pieces on the Save Our Bacon Act dropped this weekend: from @NickKristof, @kathleenparker, and @Noahpinion.

This is much needed. The mainstream media has been silent on what may be the greatest legislative threat to animal welfare in a generation.

There's been a grassroots revolt against the Act on X -- led by conservatives. But only one network has covered it: Fox, thanks to @TomiLahren.

This is exactly what the pork industry wants. It knows the Act is deeply unpopular. Its paid-for politicians can only pass it if they're never forced to defend it publicly.

They were hoping you wouldn't notice. They're now hoping you'll stay quiet. Prove them wrong.

[Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇸🇺🇦🇹🇼 @Noahpinion]

Voters at the state level are voting to end factory-farming practices that amount to mass animal torture.

But Republicans in Congress are doing their utmost to protect businesses' right to torture animals.

https://t.co/NzkOPNalQ3

[Kenny Torrella @KennyTorrella]

Truly disturbing that the American Veterinary Medical Association (@AVMAvets) is lobbying Congress to keep pigs in tiny crates.

Welfare scientist Donald Broom said it's "much worse than severely beating an animal."

Seems like a clear violation of the veterinarian's oath.

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

@cathy_chess @Lewis_Bollard Yes, although I expect there is meaningful variation among the chains, particularly because some chains operate in states where caged eggs cannot be sold

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

Target and Ahold brands (Food Lion, Giant Food) have released public roadmaps to reach 100% cage-free in the US

Kroger sells the second most caged eggs in the US. And it has reneged on its 2025 commitment to go 100% cage-free

[Lewis Bollard @Lewis_Bollard]

Great news: the Senate farm bill base text won't include the Save Our Bacon Act, which would wipe out state bans on pork from crated pigs.

Senate Ag Chair John Boozman said it's too controversial to include. That's thanks to everyone who called and posted about this.

But the fight's not over. Iowa's Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst will likely now try to add the SOB Act to the bill as a committee amendment.

Keep the calls to your senators going: [phone]. Tell them: no farm bill with the Save Our Bacon Act in it. We can win this.

Photo credit: WeAnimals.

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

Source: https://t.co/sivYTmBdZT

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

@Victori45792596 More protection for wildlife would be great, but it seems better to target that directly, rather than indirectly (and prevent improving the welfare of chickens)

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

The Housing Theory of Everything, animal welfare edition

New post on how UK NIMBYism, by blocking new barns, is preventing animal welfare improvements. Link below

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

@RevolutionPi Thanks for reading. Accepting a tiny expansion in the footprint of UK farming to give chickens less torturous conditions seems worth it

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

https://t.co/bcxBoFGLRn

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

Source: https://t.co/BWqoCTl3vr

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

Many farmers don't want state-based animal welfare laws overturned

Some even regret using the inhumane methods that are now banned in states like Florida and California (under Prop 12)

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

@caryatis It's mostly not vegans opposing it: e.g Rep. Luna, Laura Ingraham, Tomi Lahren, Mike Cernovich, Steven Pinker

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

https://t.co/dI8FqXBpht

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

The best overview of how US animal welfare laws might be overturned, and what we can do to stop it -- link in thread

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

Source: https://t.co/6sFOURoIw6

[Martin Gould @MartinVGould]

Germany is one step closer to mandating video cameras in slaughterhouses