I thank the Sun Journal editorial board for the recent editorial on the Maine Contract Farming agreement with the state of Maine (June 10). I think the statement that the inhumane practices were standard operating procedure until the intervention by the state is very accurate.

Factory farms, where hens are kept in cages too small to move, are inhumane. Inhumane by definition in fact and compliance with regulations that provide no meaningful protections for the animals does not mean much. There is no way to raise chickens humanely in such an environment.

Unfortunately, the state agriculture compliance department, animal welfare program and prosecutors, even with best intentions, will always be a step or two behind in enforcing the laws. Farm animals are not valued very highly in our society, evidenced by this agreement, and had the conduct by Maine Contract Farming involved a cat or a dog, we would have likely seen a ban on owning animals for a period of time or even life.

The answer to this problem of inherent cruelty to farm animals lies with the consumers who can choose not to buy those products.

People should not be fooled by the claim of humane practices, a concept that is not well-defined, is open to interpretation, and mostly unverified. If people choose to eat chicken and/or eggs, they should please visit a farm and a slaughterhouse before they do. It’s not pretty.

Christina Perkins, Orland

Founder, Maine Farm Animal Advocates