CSU plans for on-campus slaughterhouse draw criticism from sustainability advocates

Sophomore Abigail Bearce says her degree in fish, wildlife and conservation biology will be tarnished if Colorado State University moves ahead with plans to place a meat packing facility on the campus, which prides itself on 21st-century environmental practices.

“I came here for the sustainability aspects of the university,” said Bearce, who is minoring in global environmental sustainability. “It’s just the hypocrisy of CSU to call itself an advocate of sustainability but it’s still encouraging the production and processing of animals. That’s the worst thing that can be done to the environment.”

Bearce and other animal rights advocates oppose construction of the $20 million JBS Global Food Innovation Center, planned to house the university’s meat science program, complete with cattle and poultry processing.

JBS, the world’s largest protein processor, is providing $7.5 million to help construct the 38,000-square-foot structure at the site of a parking lot directly south of the Animal Science Building and not far from Morgan Library. JBS is also donating $5 million for educational programs at the center.

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/2017/05/02/colorado-state-slaughter-house-jbs-global-food-innovation-center-pushback/