National Pork Industry Conference

One of the speaker’s at National Pork Industry Conference (NPIC) was Dr. Peter Kristensen, Director, GenusPIC Europe.  Dr. Kristensen spoke on Europe’s adjustment from Gestation Stalls.  What he said was amazing.  He basically said it’s all over for us his words several times “the train has left the station.” “You’re four years too late.” “You don’t have enough money.”

His presentation was an advocacy for the North American Swine industry to capitulate and appease to the Animal Welfare lobby and convert from gestation stalls, maybe farrowing crates, castration, etc.  It made me feel ill.

Here was a PIC director (of course from Europe) the world’s largest genetic company advocating an appeasement for our industry.  He spoke as if all European farmers supported his view.  But we wonder does he own a farm?  Does he own pigs?  What has it cost him to say it is inevitable?

His talk certainly was thought provoking and in itself created borderline hostile reactions from the producers who have their money invested in our industry.

The European model is making their producers uncompetitive in cost of production and it was said at NPIC that Europe’s export market will become next to non – existent due to the many new regulations.  That’s a model we want?  Don’t think so!

The difference could be mind set.  In North America many of our forebears left Europe.  We left for a better life and freedom.  Freedom to choose.  We don’t like top down edicts.  We aren't afraid to compete but we don’t like elites whether in Europe or Park Avenue Animal Rights Activists telling us what to do.  Our nature is to fight for what we believe in.  We are not appeasers; we drive Pick Ups not Renault's.  We eat ribs not crepes, we play football not tennis.  We are different, we are wired that way.  Europe is Europe.  America is America.  We don’t like experts from Europe telling us what to do.  Question: “How do you think you are doing with Greece?  Keep your advice.

For more information regarding the Genesus story, visit http://www.genesus.com/genesus-story.

~ Dennis Friest