Michigan Veterinarians Evaluating Farm-Animal Welfare Bill Amended by Michigan House

DVM Newsmagazine reports that Michigan veterinarians were left out of the final negotiations between Michigan lawmakers and the Michigan humane society, and apparently the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) was able to work out a compromise between their organization, farm and agricultural trade groups, and Michigan lawmakers that may lead to changes in the way animals are treated on farms in the state.

When the HSUS is not able to work with state legislatures to get changes in animal welfare laws implemented, the organization often turns to ballot initiatives to effect the change they desire. There is a current ballot initiative struggle going on in Ohio, and in California the organization was successful in getting the voters to approve a ballot initiative (Prop. 2), which requires that farm animals be able to turn around, and extend their limbs, among other provisions.

In Michigan, the revised statute the legislature is working on has done away with the advisory board “that would have included farmers, agricultural industry representatives, veterinarians, and faculty from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to discuss animal-welfare issues.” The board would be very similar to the one that is currently being proposed in Ohio as part of a ballot initiative that aims to avoid a struggle with the HSUS over animal welfare issues.

The new bill sounds quite familiar to the ballot initiative in California, in that it would require ‘“any pig during pregnancy, calf raised for veal and egg-laying hen that is kept on a farm’ be housed so the animal can lie down, stand up and turn around freely.” There are exemptions in the measure for veterinary treatment, transportation, rodeo and fairs, pregnant sows about to give birth, and for slaughter. Farmers in the state would have one year to comply with “veal-calf restrictions and 10 years to comply with the rules for pregnant sows and egg-laying hens.”

While the bill goes to the Senate for consideration, the Michigan VMA is going to look at the new bill to see where it might come down in terms of support.

To read the DVM article click here.
To read a copy of the House-passed bill click here.

Posted: 10/01/09