Animal Advocates Closely Watching Farm Bill
Posted July 29, 2013 07:55 am
TALLAHASSEE, FL –
Animal-rights advocates are perched on the edges of
their seats as members of the U.S. House and Senate
evaluate legislation to replace the Farm Bill that
expires in September.
Two measures that directly affect animal welfare are part of the package. Both House and Senate bills include a version of the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, which would make it a crime to attend or bring a child to a dog fight or a cockfight.
Florida law prohibits attending or participating in animal fighting, but Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States, said the northern part of the state is a "gateway" for the activity.
"There are people who will move fighting birds from Florida into Alabama because the penalties are so weak," Pacelle said.
The maximum penalty in Alabama for participation in
cock fighting is $50.
The House version of the Farm Bill also includes an
amendment by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. Pacelle predicted
it would mean misery for many animals - including
calves, pigs, chickens, puppies and even sharks - by
tossing out state animal-welfare laws.
"If there's a state standard that says that the animals
should be able to lie down, turn around, stand up and
extend their limbs, that could be nullified by Steve
King's amendment," he said. "He even opposed efforts to
include pets in disaster planning."
To cut costs, factory farm operators often don't give
individual veterinary attention to ill or injured
animals. Instead, workers kill sick pigs who won't be
able to make it to the slaughterhouse or simply leave
them alone to die. In one investigation, workers were
videotaped killing sick pigs by repeatedly slamming them
against the concrete floor. (PITA)
King has said he believes the wide variety of state
animal-welfare laws makes it difficult for food
producers to comply with them and restricts
commerce.However, Pacelle said the King amendment could
nullify hard-won rights for animals in 34 states and has
broad implications for food safety and environmental
standards.
Despite complaints that cockfighting is part of the
national heritage of some cultures, Pacelle said the
legislation making it illegal to attend is not
discriminatory.
"Unfortunately, people of many different backgrounds
have engaged in animal fighting," he said. "But every
poll we've conducted shows the vast majority of people
of every background - white, black, Latino, Asian - they
all overwhelmingly oppose animal fighting."
Pacelle noted that even Michael Vick, the Philadelphia
Eagles quarterback once convicted for illegal dog
fighting, lobbied Congress in support of the Animal
Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act last year.
Photos and links added by the Observer
