When I visit the grocery store, I am awed by the choices available to shoppers – from fresh to frozen produce, canned or processed goods catered toward unique dietary preferences (e.g., low sodium, sugar-free) to various cuts of meat or dairy foods from animals raised in various farm settings. Choice is a wonderful thing, but what happens when that choice is removed by state or local laws?
2023 may have come and gone, but there’s plenty we can take away from the last year, including trends we’ve seen in the animal rights movement that we expect to continue over the next 12 months.
Have you ever wondered about how your food gets to your plate? Have you noticed the labels on meat packages or egg cartons stating, “raised humanely” or “cage-free”? You may have even seen measures on your ballot about how animals in your state should be raised for food. Whether you know it or not, we are all involved in animal welfare, but there may be some confusion about what that term means.
Animal rights activist groups have employed a series of outlandish campaigns over the years in a thus far unsuccessful attempt to “dismantle” animal agriculture, including exploiting the courts to forward their cause.
Last year saw a disturbing uptick in public displays of extreme animal rights activism. From trespassing on farms and stealing animals to protesting during televised sports games, incidents of extremist demonstrations continue to be on the rise. Based on our inside scoop, here are a few projected trends to be aware of in 2023.
Pretty much all animal rights extremist organizations – no matter how reasonable they attempt to appear publicly – share the same goal of eliminating animal agriculture and taking meat, milk, poultry, and eggs off our tables.
It doesn’t take advanced and expensive technology or equipment to deter activists – basic farm security can go a long way to making yourself a harder target. In a panel titled “Protecting Yourself from Animal Activism,” myself, Master Trooper Kelly Osborne at the Pennsylvania State Police and Brook Duer, attorney at the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, discussed how farmers can adopt farm security protocols and engage with their local law enforcement.
Don’t let animal rights activists keep you from making some of the best childhood memories you will ever have in youth programs like 4-H and FFA.
Animal rights activist groups, “journalists” and others continue to attempt to malign the reputation of the animal agriculture community and its commitment to providing consumers with safe, affordable and nutritious food choices. We’re here to set the record straight.
With activist groups calling for the Pope and others to give up meat, now is the time to become familiar with how animal rights groups are “spinning scripture.”
HB 3799
Description:
Relating to the advertising and labeling of certain meat food products.
Status: Introduced 3/7/2019
Pending
HB 1081
Relating to a study regarding the prohibition of dairy farming in certain areas of the state
Description:
Would require the Texas Animal Health Commission to conduct a study regarding the current risk level for bovine tuberculosis in certain states determined by the Commission to be infected or at high risk for bovine tuberculosis. By 9/1/2014, the Commission must submit a report of the findings to the Department of Agriculture and others listed.
Status: Effective 6/14/2013
Passed
Pass Date: 6/14/2013
HB 1643
Description:
Would add a concentrated animal feeding operations to the list of facilities that drones are prohibited from flying over.
Status: Effective 9/1/17
Passed
Pass Date: 6/15/2017
HB 1819
Relating to liability for injuring a trespassing sheep or goat
Description:
Would make a person with a fence that is insufficient who kills or wounds a head of cattle, horse, goat or sheep liable to the owner of the animal for damages.
Status: Effective 9/1/2013
Passed
Pass Date: 6/14/2013
HB 334
Relating to the establishment of the Texas Livestock Care Standards Advisory Committee
Description:
Would establish a 16-member Texas Livestock Care Standards Advisory Committee. The committee would be required to research and develop standards governing livestock and poultry care, food safety, local food availability, food affordability, and best farm management practices for animal well-being.
Status: Introduced 11/19/2010; Died in Committee
Failed
SJR 22
Right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife amendment
Description:
Would amend Aricle 1, Section 34 of the Texas Constitution to include that people have the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, including the use of traditioal methods, subject to laws and regulations to conserve and manage wildlife and preserve the future of hunting and fishing. Would also state that hunting and fishing are preferred methods of managing and controlling wildlife.
Status: Enrolled 5/20/2015; Died in Chamber
Failed