By Tom Laskawy
Grist
Big Ag is having trouble installing its Iron Curtain. I am referring, of course, to the various “ag-gag” laws proposed in Florida, Minnesota, and Iowa that would make it illegal to produce (and, in some cases, possess) undercover videos from within factory livestock farms. The latest state legislature to pursue this dubious goal is New York’s— but the fate of ag-gaggery in other states makes success in the Empire State seem unlikely.
Florida’s bill died a few weeks ago when legislators withdrew the bill from consideration as the legislative session ended.
CORRECTION: Please note that while there has been no action or hearing on the Minnesota “Ag-Gag” bill, this is the second of a 2-year legislative session and the bill is unfortunately still alive. It is not true that the bill has been withdrawn, as stated in the article. The Humane Society article that was cited is incorrect as well. Here is a link to the current bill:
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H1369.0.html&session=ls87
As for Iowa, its legislative session is still going on and passage of the bill is considered a priority with Republican Gov. Terry Branstad on record as believing that such undercover videos represent “a problem that should be addressed.”
Read more at Grist
These republicans have nothing but ideology and so they have to milk it for all its worth (yes, pun obviously intended).
It’s a shame NY has such a thing in their bill considering it was in NY in 1874 that the first child abuse prosecution case (Mary Ellen Wilson) took place using the animal cruelty laws since no laws existed protecting children yet existed.
Well covered, Tom. Hopefully, people of common sense and compassion will read posts such as yours and respond positively. I find it unbelievable that we live in a world where some people think it’s all right to treat fellow living creatures so abominably and even feel it is their “right” to hide it from the rest of us. May this coming to light of trying to hide farm animal cruelty work in the animals’ favor. May it be a catalyst for people to adopt a more humane as well as healthier lifestyle too. I take much joy in reading about the two China Study doctors who were born on the farm now realizing that meat and dairy isn’t what it was cracked up to be then and certainly not today. Veganism has become respectable finally. When I became vegan in 1983, it was considered strange and even worse – the mark of a foolish person. They said I was putting my health in jeopardy. Well, guess what – it was they who were doing so “feasting” on meat and dairy.
This article is inaccurate and the bill is still alive in Minnesota.
Please note that while there has been no action or hearing on the Minnesota “Ag-Gag” bill, this is the second of a 2-year legislative session and the bill is unfortunately still alive. It is not true that the bill has been withdrawn, as stated in the article. The Humane Society article that was cited is incorrect as well.
Here is a link to the current bill:
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H1369.0.html&session=ls87
Here is some information that will be helpful regarding MN’s legislative sessions and how bills are introduced and handled:
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faqtoc.asp?subject=12 (sessions)
and
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faqtoc.asp?subject=2 (bills)
PLEASE let readers know that they still need to speak up and fight this bill. It may be worth double checking and reporting on the actual status of the bills in other states as well.
Thank you.