Update April 5: This bill, S.B. 105, has now passed the Kentucky House of Representatives by a vote of 89-8 and was returned to the Senate for approval of 3 amendments.

The Senate declined to approve the amendment changing the method for selecting the citizen at large member of the Livestock Care Standards Board. The citizen at large member would be selected from a list of 3 candidates supplied by the Farm Bureau and who must be a certified organic farmer and have knowledge of food safety.

Another amendment simply changed the title to "an Act relating to animals".

Limitation on abuser's access to animals added to bill creating LCSB

Under another amendment approved by both the House and the Senate and unrelated to the bill's purpose, abusers convicted of first or second degree animal abuse could not own or possess animals of the same species involved in the cruelty for 2 years from the date of a conviction or guilty plea.

First or second degree animal abuse includes animal fighting, intentional or wanton cruelty, cruel or injurious mistreatment through abandonment, "mutilation, beating, torturing any animal other than a dog or cat, tormenting, failing to provide adequate food, drink, space, or health care, or by any other means"; poisoning and cruel neglect. Ky Rev. Statutes Sections 525.125, .130

The Senate's refusal to approve the amendment relating to choosing a citizen at large for the LCSB means the bill now goes to a conference committee.

For more on what the creation of a Livestock Care Standards Board will mean for Kentucky citizens and farm animals, read Animal Law Coalition's report below. 

The Kentucky legislature is fast tracking a bill, S.B. 105 (attached at the end of this article for downloading), another power grab by agri-business. S.B. 105, was introduced just a few weeks ago by KY state Sen. David Givens, and it has already passed the state Senate.

This bill would concentrate authority to determine standards for care and treatment of "livestock" in an industry weighted Livestock Care Standards Board. It would enable agri-business to continue without any interference or regulation their cruel and inhumane, not to mention environmentally disastrous, factory farming practices. The bill is very similar to a state constitutional amendment known as Issue 2 that was approved by voters in Ohio in 2009.

In setting standards, the LCSB would take into account "[a]nimal well-being and agricultural best management practices; [h]erd health; and [s]afe, affordable, healthy food supplies for consumers."

The LCSB would be made up of 14 people including the State Veterinarian, commissioner of agriculture, dean of the University of Kentucky college of Agriculture, chair of the Animal Control Advisory Board, and Director of the UK Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center or Murray State U Breathitt Veterinary Center, four appointees of the governor selected from lists provided by the Ky Farm Bureau, the KY County Judge/Executive Association, KY Veterinary Medical Association and one "citizen at large" with an "interest in food safety"; and five more appointees of the governor with assistance from the Dept. of Agriculture and who shall represent the pork, poultry, horse and cattle industries.  

If you didn't see anyone on there from the humane or animal protection community, family farmers or those developing sustainable, organic or other environmentally conscious farming practices, that's because they are not included in this power grab by agri-business that isn't interested in anything except profits from animals. They can't let humane treatment and concern for the environment get in the way. 

The bill is an effort to prevent voters through the legislature from having any say in standards of care and treatment of farm animals, food safety and even food choices. Except that the Board could not interfere with the KY Horse Racing Authority or Board of Veterniary Examiners. Any local regulation regarding standards of care and treatment for farm animals except related to "planning and zoning" would be voided, and no local government could pass any such laws in the future.

This bill will not benefit Kentucky, its citizens or the family farmer. It will only benefit large agri-business.