Protecting our Freedom to Operate Earning and Maintaining Public Trust and our Social License

Abstract

Animal agriculture is under increasing pressure. In addition to the traditional challenges of herd health, productivity and profitability, there are growing questions about our production systems and practices. Finding an acceptable location for a livestock facility and generating local support is difficult. Activist groups opposed to contemporary production practices are pursuing litigation, pressuring customers and initiating legislation to change the way we operate. Customers and consumers are asking questions about animal welfare, sustainability, pre-harvest food safety and immigration issues.