Statutory Protection for Downed Animals

lauraallen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:54:35 -0700

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.

Farm Animals

New Federal Bill to Provide Protections for Egg Laying Hens

lauraallen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:04:53 -0700

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.

Farm Animals

Supreme Court Invalidates CA Downer Law

lauraallen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:38:30 -0700

Farm Animals

Smithfield has no shame

lauraallen — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:10:53 -0700

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.

Farm Animals

Stop Non-Therapeutic Antibiotic Use in Farm Animals

lauraallen — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:49:34 -0700

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 Animals

Farm Animal Cruelty Laws: A Status Report

lauraallen — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 11:23:07 -0700

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.

Farm Animals

Another Livestock Care Standards Board

lauraallen — Mon, 30 May 2011 10:38:55 -0700

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.

Farm Animals

Bill Undermining WA Ballot Initiative Signed

lauraallen — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:10:45 -0700

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.

Farm Animals

AVMA Calls for Video in Slaughter Facilities

lauraallen — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 09:39:01 -0700

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....

Farm Animals

Untruths by VA Farm Bureau and VA VMA Threaten Horses and Farm Animals

lauraallen — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 07:40:38 -0700

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.

Farm Animals