One of the arguments put forward by
abolitionists against protectionism is that small improvements in animal welfare serve to salve consciences by persuading the public that their use of animals is not unethical. Welfare reform can therefore be counter-productive. Abolitionists also argue that real reform is invariably unsuccessful because industries that depend on animal use will not implement change that harms their profit margin, that is, the property status of animals prohibits reform that will harm their owners' interests. For that reason, abolitionists argue it is the property status of animals that must be removed. Robert Garner argues against this that welfare reform is not simply a staging post on the way to abolition but is in itself desirable. An approach that is based on the right of animals not to suffer could in theory be satisfied with a welfare system in which animal suffering, if not animal use, was minimized, although he concedes that this is unlikely. He also argues that Francione has not shown that improvements in welfare persuade the public that all is well. Rather, he argues that reform has the effect of raising public consciousness about the interests of animals. ==See also==