Farm Animals
Statutory Protection for Downed Animals
The Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act, H.R. 3704, would make it a crime for any slaughter facility, packer, dealer, stockyard, market or other establishment regulated by the Federal Meat Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. 601 et seq., ("FMIA") to fail to euthanize humanely and immediately any downed or non-ambulatory animal, meaning an animal that will not stand and walk. The animals to be protected are cattle (including calves), sheep, swine, goats, or horses, mules, or other equines.
New Federal Bill to Provide Protections for Egg Laying Hens
Update January 24, 2012: U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR) has introduced H.R. 3798, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, the legislation that the Humane Society of the United States President and CEO Wayne Pacelle announced last summer was being drafted with the support of United Egg Producers.
Smithfield has no shame
With an astonishing chutzpah, Smithfield Foods, Inc., the largest producer of pork in the world, launched a campaign recently, basically boasting to its investors in a series of videos and press reports about its animal handling and environmental sustainability practices.
Stop Non-Therapeutic Antibiotic Use in Farm Animals
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has introduced the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, PAMTA, H.R. 965, S. 1211, which would withdraw the routine use of seven classes of antibiotics from use in food animals unless they are indicated for treatment of disease or illness or the drug companies can prove that their use does not harm human health.
Farm Animal Cruelty Laws: A Status Report
Many people think that the law requires humane slaughter of farm animals used for food. And, there is a federal law that requires " cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep, swine, and other livestock, all animals are [to be] rendered insensible to pain by a single blow or gunshot or an electrical, chemical or other means that is rapid and effective, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut". Humane Methods of Slaughter Act or HMSA.
Another Livestock Care Standards Board
The creation of "Livestock Care Standards Board" were particularly popular in 2009 and 2010 as a way to give agri-business more, if not exclusive control, over how farm animals and horses are treated. In Ohio the Livestock Care Standards Board was even enshrined in the state constitution, its power virtually absolute in the matter of horse and farm animal treatment and care.
Bill Undermining WA Ballot Initiative Signed
Update May 12, 2011: Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire has signed S.B. 5487 into law.
For more on this bill and the effort to undermine the ballot initiative to give egg laying hens more room, read Animal Law Coalition's reports below.
AVMA Calls for Video in Slaughter Facilities
The American Veterinary Medical Association has called for installation of video cameras in slaughter facilities. This after the latest undercover investigation revealed horrific abuse at E6 Cattle Co. in Hart, Texas. For more information....
Untruths by VA Farm Bureau and VA VMA Threaten Horses and Farm Animals
Update Feb. 20, 2011: The Virginia Senate quickly unanimously passed H.B. 1541 with amendments. The House of Representatives then adopted the amendments by a vote of 82-12.
The amendments would allow an "agricultural animal" as well as a companion animal to be placed with a rescue or sanctuary rather than simply sold or killed.
