Ableist Quote by GaryLFrancione
““The notion that we should promote “happy” or “humane” exploitation as “baby steps” ignores that welfare reforms do not result in providing significantly greater protection for animal interests; in fact, most of the time, animal welfare reforms do nothing more than make animal exploitation more economically productive by focusing on practices, such as gestation crates, the electrical stunning of chickens, or veal crates, that are economically inefficient in any event. Welfare reforms make animal exploitation more profitable by eliminating practices that are economically vulnerable. For the most part, those changes would happen anyway and in the absence of animal welfare campaigns precisely because they do rectify inefficiencies in the production process. And welfare reforms make the public more comfortable about animal exploitation. The “happy” meat/animal products movement is clear proof of that. We would never advocate for “humane” or "happy” human slavery, rape, genocide, etc. So, if we believe that animals matter morally and that they have an interest not only in not suffering but in continuing to exist, we should not be putting our time and energy into advocating for “humane” or “happy” animal exploitation.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Animal Rights: The Abolitionist Approach, Gary L. Francione, 2008
Welfare reforms often improve efficiency rather than animal protection, making exploitation more profitable and socially acceptable.
In simple terms: Reforms can make animal use more efficient without truly helping animals.
Focus on ending exploitation, not just making it seem better.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy advocacy
- consumer choices
- corporate lobbying
- public education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure reforms truly protect animals?
- What alternatives to exploitation exist?
Reforms may be co-opted by industry to maintain exploitation.