Feasting From the Federal Trough

The animal agribusiness industries often proclaim a libertarian mantra when asked to accept rules for their conduct in regard to animal welfare, the environment, and food safety. However, in this chapter, the author explores how when these industries suffer from lack of demand, their clamor toward socialism is stark. They consistently come to the US Congress and the United States Department of Agriculture with outstretched arms and cupped palms, seeking to defy the normal laws of economics that other businesses must navigate. In fact, the meat, egg, and dairy industries are enormous beneficiaries of generous federal subsidies, research and development, and even surplus buy-ups of unwanted product. Such a reliance on federal handouts by animal agribusiness calls into question their proclamation of libertarianism and free market principles.