New Viewpoints, New Ways.

Now that sheep are recognised to be sentient - they feel and have emotions - any human treatment of sheep which does not display awareness of this is unacceptable. Required is fundamental change of outlook and way on the part of humans.

The alterations demanded are radical. They are essential - not optional. It cannot be allowed any more for sheep to be lowly-esteemed, for them to be seen as not worthy to have high welfare, for them to be perceived as objects. Much putting of information into the public domain about sheep’s sentience is required. Education about sheep’s sentience is needed for the sheep farming sector and all others who work with sheep. It needs to be ensured that ignorance of sheep’s sentience cannot be given as a justification for not viewing sheep well and treating them well.

It can be argued that there need to be far more fundamental changes of outlook by humans towards sheep and - so as a consequence - to the nature of their relationship with sheep. For millennia, humans have seen sheep as for their use. Surely it is time for humans to stop regarding themselves as having right of power and dominion over sheep. Now, we ought to be sufficiently enlightened to not be speciesist, but rather viewing non-human animals, sheep among them, as our equals and fellows. 

Is it enough that a change of perspective on sheep should be installed? The issue is raised whether, and in human-driven world, to secure their wellbeing and consideration, sheep need not just to be at the receiving end of good intentions on the part of humans but to have recognised rights. And these enforced in law.  

The logic of the acceptance that sheep are sentient, that they are not ‘beneath us’ etc, is that we should not put them through the sheep farming process. They should simply be deployed for conservation grazing or just kept ‘for themselves’. In all circumstances they should live out their natural span.

The time is overdue for change in how we view and treat sheep. Sheep farming, animal farming in general, is steeped in traditions. More than nudge or encouragement are likely to be necessary to achieve the required alterations. Saying that we need to see sheep differently, to value them more, is unlikely to be adequate to bring about the deep changes that are needed. We can wait and wait in vain for humans’ view and treatment of sheep to better. Humans will need to be made to alter their view of sheep and to see wholly and thoroughly to sheep’s welfare.

Currently, sheep are liable to be being caused suffering by humans from these:
Live exports;
Movement and transportation;
Rough handling;
Worrying from dogs;
Being situated in combat zones;
Being used for entertainment (being made to do things that are against their nature and dignity);
Being killed before their natural span;
Maltreatment at slaughter.

We cannot wait for humans to value and appreciate sheep enough to treat them well. Now that sheep are known to be sentient, that knowledge must be instilled firmly in all humans and then those humans required to act in accordance. It is high time we cared for sheep as they should be cared for.