In another story involving livestock care standards, the Associated Press is reporting in Business Week online that the Idaho Senate voted 24-11 today to create "a 10-member livestock care standards advisory board of industry representatives, animal-welfare advocates and lawmakers to define rules of care for livestock and poultry." This legislation must still go to the Idaho House for approval.This is the latest attempt of state legislatures, many likely following the example of Ohio's Issue 2, to circumvent efforts of animal welfare groups and outside entities to change animal care rules and laws. Indeed, Idaho State Senator Tim Corder, explains the necessity of establishing "acceptable industry practices . . . now on fear Idaho will be targeted by 'radical animal-rights groups' . . ."
Over the years animal-rights organizations like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have been successful in pushing ballot initiatives and other efforts to change state laws when it comes to livestock care. The success of the HSUS has not gone unnoticed. Following Ohio's example, many states are taking preemptive steps to avoid a costly ballot or legislative fight with the HSUS.
In an effort to possibly appease the HSUS, and Idaho is no different, many of the proposed boards contain at least a seat for some representative of an animal welfare group's interests that are reflective of the views of the local populous.
Also passing in the Idaho Senate today was a bill, that won approval by a 34-1 margin, that makes running a cockfighting operation a felony. Dogfightinng is already a felony in Idaho.
To read the AP piece on the legislation in Business Week, click here.
To see previous US Agriculture & Food Law and Policy Blog posts on animal welfare, click here.
Posted: 03/01/10
