From COVID-19 to now, mRNA vaccination remains a source of controversy.
In light of the recent controversy regarding mRNA vaccines for animal agriculture, we want to make our position very clear. No, we are not and will not use mRNA vaccines, period. In fact, we don’t use any vaccines on our regenerative farm because we raise our animals on open pastures with access to fresh air, sunlight, and nutritious forage. For us it’s simple, if we keep our animals happy and healthy, they’re less likely to get sick and we don’t need antibiotics or vaccines.
Regarding the misinformation spreading on social media, there are not yet any mRNA animal vaccines on the open market. That being said, it’s clear that governments and pharmaceutical companies are currently researching and developing such vaccines to be used in the near future.
While it’s unclear if legislation would ever be passed mandating mRNA vaccination in livestock, it’s no secret Big Ag is heavily influenced by Big Pharma. Already multinational meat companies utilize 80% of all antibiotics produced on their livestock, so it’s not hard to see why vaccine companies eager to increase profits are jumping to capture the animal agriculture market.
Unnatural and inhumane, industrial animal agriculture operations act as a petri dish for infectious diseases, viruses, parasites, and vectors of food borne illnesses. Most animals raised in concentrated animal feeding operations CAFOs (also known as feedlots) would not survive long enough to make it to slaughter without the use of antibiotics, drugs, hormones, and vaccines.
Rather than address the root of the issue, Big Pharma enables Big Ag to continue business as usual. They maintain a symbiotic relationship, feeding off one another in a destructive dance that imperils us all. As the saying goes, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” When we eat sick animals, we inevitably become sick and reliant on, (you guessed it) Big Pharma.
Concerns around mRNA Vaccination in Livestock
While vaccines can be effective in preventing disease, they also come with their own set of risks and drawbacks. As regenerative farmers we certainly appreciate that there is no-one-size-fits-all solution, but for us, the solution definitely does not include mRNA vaccination. Here are a few of our major safety concerns when it comes to mRNA vaccinations in animals.
1: Is the vaccine persistent in the meat of animals injected with mRNA vaccines?
Most of the research suggests that the mRNA material dissipates several days after injection, and if it didn’t, couldn’t survive the cooking process or the acidic environment of our stomachs. However, this has never been done before and so it’s impossible to truly know any long-term health effects on humans who consume meat from animals vaccinated with mRNA. We maintain a healthy skepticism, and for us the potential risks outweigh the reward.
2: Natural immunity vs. mRNA vaccination.
Regenerative farms prioritize natural immunity. In the wild, animals develop immunity to disease through exposure and adaptation over time. By allowing livestock to develop natural immunity, regenerative farms like ours avoid negative vaccine side effects like allergic reactions, increased susceptibility to other diseases, and overactive immune responses. Due to our farming practices, animals are less likely to get sick in the first place, and have robust immune systems capable of fighting illness off if they do. Also, our animals are part of a closed herd - meaning they are born and raised on the same farm. New animals aren't being cycled in and mixing with the existing herd.
Another reason we prefer natural immunity is because antibiotics are sometimes used in the production of vaccines to prevent bacterial contamination during the manufacturing process. As is well documented the overuse of antibiotics leads to development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is why we never use antibiotics.
3: Is the mRNA vaccination safe for livestock?
Regenerative farms prioritize animal welfare. Although the CDC, pharmaceutical companies, and government experts say that animal mRNA vaccination is completely safe, again, the truth is we don’t really know. There are no short-term or long-term studies on injecting isolated genetic material into livestock. Additionally, restraining and administering vaccines causes pain, discomfort, and stress, negatively impacting animal well-being.
4: What are the environmental impacts of mRNA vaccination?
Regenerative farms prioritize environmental health. Vaccines can contain harmful chemicals and adjuvants laced with heavy metals like aluminum or mercury which may accumulate in the environment. This, and the disposal of vaccine material destroys soil biology and harms wildlife. Not to mention, the production and transportation of vaccine materials requires a lot of valuable energy and resources. We believe this could be invested into regenerative farming and public health initiatives focused on restoring the health of our planet, and by extension ourselves.
REP Provisions Commitment: No mRNA Vaccination in our Meat
Regenerative farms like ours prioritize soil health, biodiversity, animal welfare, and ecosystem restoration. At the heart of regenerative farming is the core belief that farming practices should mimic nature, rather than attempting to control or dominate it. As a result of this core belief, we don’t use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, or vaccines.
As our planet continues to struggle, we become even more vulnerable to emergent diseases. This is a fact. Tried and true, regenerative animal agriculture is a long-term systemic approach that addresses the root causes of ecosystem health instead of playing whack-a-mole with the symptoms. Yes, it's a big job, but maintaining integrity and transparency in animal agriculture is our calling.
No matter what happens regarding mRNA vaccination, we’re committed to raising our cattle, pork, chicken, and lamb in alignment with nature and without the use of mRNA vaccines. When you treat food as medicine, quality is everything.
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