........If you accept that animals have rights, raising and killing animals for food is morally wrong.
An animal raised for food is being used by others rather than being respected for itself. In philosopher's terms it is being treated as a means to human ends and not as an end in itself.
This is a clear violation of the animal's rights.
No matter how humanely an animal is treated in the process, raising and killing it for food remains morally wrong.
But: This is using 'rights' in a rather technical philosophical sense. When people talk about animal rights colloquially, they are usually talking about animal interests.
Even the most humane forms of rearing and killing animals for food always violates the animal's most basic interest - to continue living.
Modern agriculture often violates other key animal interests as well - for example:
* to live in natural (or at least, decent) conditions
* to make free choices
* to be free from fear and pain
* to live healthy lives without needing medical intervention
* to eat a natural diet
* to enjoy the normal social/family/community life of its species
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