July 4 article on definitions of veganism sparks dispute over who was responsible for anti-Israel statement purportedly signed by Mercy for Animals pres & PETA science policy advisor SARASOTA, Florida––Is veganism, by dictionary definition the state of being vegan, a diet or a lifestyle? If veganism means or at least implies a lifestyle, as […]
Washington state takes up arms against octopus farming
“Hurts our environment & causes suffering,” says lawmaker. OLYMPIA, Washington––“Octopuses in Washington to remain in their little hideaways beneath the waves, safe from farming,” bannered Washington state representative Strom Peterson in a March 13, 2024 media release, after Washington governor Jay Inslee inked Peterson’s House Bill 1153 into law, to take effect on June 13, […]
Fourth attempted Iowa “ag gag” law fails on first glance by a judge
“Ag gag” falls on summary judgement DES MOINES, Iowa––U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose on September 26, 2022 struck down the latest of four attempts by the Iowa legislature to pass an “ag gag” law prohibiting activists and journalists from producing undercover video of activities inside factory farms, feedlots, and slaughterhouses. Three of the four […]
Will a Washington court make Costco treat chickens better in Nebraska & Iowa?
Two Costco shareholders sue the board of directors for allegedly violating humane laws SEATTLE, Washington––Costco Wholesale Corporation, better known as just Costco, in 2016 introduced a novel strategy to wring profits out of the necks of chickens. Now Legal Impact for Chickens, a recently formed San Francisco-based nonprofit, is pursuing a novel legal strategy to […]
Why did the Animal Legal Defense Fund go undercover?
Were Tyson poultry-slaughtering line speeds really the focal issue? COTATI, California––The “who, what, where, when” and “how” of an Animal Legal Defense Fund undercover video exposé of alleged animal and employee abuse at a Tyson Foods chicken slaughterhouse in Carthage, Texas were all identified in the September 14, 2015 ALDF media release announcing it. “Why,” […]
McDonald’s to phase out using eggs from caged hens
Phase-out to be completed 30 years after McDonald’s accepted statement of humane principles OAK BROOK, Illinois––The McDonald’s restaurant chain, buyer of more than two billion eggs per year, 4% of total U.S. egg production, on September 9, 2015 announced that it will phase out use of eggs from caged hens over the next 10 […]
North Carolina “ag-gag” to take effect; legislature overturns veto
Sixth state to pass an “ag-gag” law after undercover videos of abuses RALEIGH, N.C.––The North Carolina legislature on June 3, 2015 overturned governor Pat McCrory’s May 29, 2015 veto of an “ag-gag” bill, HB 405, passed by the state legislature 10 days earlier. Overturned by votes of 79-36 in the state house of representatives and 33-15 […]
Whistleblower exposé of livestock research fuels ag-gag debate
“Ag gag” laws are now on the books in seven states, but cases have been prosecuted only in Utah OMAHA, SALT LAKE CITY, KANSAS CITY, OLYMPIA––Publishing a landmark exposé of the little-known U.S. Meat Animal Research Center on January 20, 2015, Michael Moss of The New York Times indirectly racheted up political pressure both for […]
Dairymen prefer to work in the dark
BOISE, Idaho––Idaho Dairymen’s Association lawyer Daniel Steenson was blunt in an April 2014 petition filed to seek court permission to help defend the newly passed state “ag-gag” statute. Wrote Steenson, “Without the protection the statute provides, Idaho Dairymen’s Association members will again be targeted for clandestine infiltration by individuals masquerading as employees to gather […]
Undercover videos push Tyson into requiring farm animal welfare audits
Warns Iowa Cattlemen Association convention ALTOONA––Goaded by repeated undercover video exposés of rough handling and alleged neglect of livestock, Tyson Foods beef supply chain manager Lora Wright on December 9, 2013 warned the Iowa Cattlemen Association’s annual convention in Altoona that Tyson will soon require beef and chicken suppliers to pass animal welfare audits. “A […]