‘Not Economic’

Disappointingly, on an Outer Hebridean island there seemed to be a dearth of Hebridean sheep. Apparently, they are ‘not economic’.

It can be understood that for all those who aim to earn a living from sheep farming - and its related activities - the endeavour must work economically. But are all, or too many, decisions made just on economic criteria? It seems that economics define, so much, the choices, activity and process in sheep farming. What about sheep welfare? Where does that sit in the hierarchy of priorities?

Among things economics are likely to influence or govern, as well as what sheep breed or cross-breed is decided to be bred and farmed, are how long is the life of a sheep to be, where is it to be located, what grazing or feed it has, to where and in what manner it be will be transported, the amount of quality - beyond specified levels - of the facilities of shows, sales, slaughterhouses. 

Discussing the animal producer industry in his book Why Veganism Matters: The Moral Value of Animals (2022) Gary L Francione opines ‘… the level of protection for animal interests is, with rare exceptions, set by the industry and is linked to what is required to exploit animals in an economically efficient way’ (p 32). He goes on to remark ‘If animals are property, welfare standards will always be low and will be shaped more or less by what level of protection is necessary to exploit animals in an economically efficient way’ (p 46).   

Sheep are living creatures, and, in all the decisions which humans make concerning them, the sheep’s welfare should be the paramount consideration. If to do something is in the sheep’s best welfare, and it is the right thing to do, it should be done. The thing should not be avoided being done on grounds that it is ‘not economic’ to do it. 

And, as the photograph indicates, eventually some Hebridean sheep were seen, exceptions to the generality of their absence on this visit to the Outer Hebrides.