Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman leaves out the SOB Act but leaves other key animal welfare policies, including animal fighting and horse slaughter, for the full committee to handle It was good news yesterday when Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., released his draft Farm bill, which omits the wicked Save Our Bacon (SOB) Act. … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, issued the following statement in response to the release of the draft Farm bill by the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee: The most significant animal welfare development in the Senate Agriculture Committee’s draft Farm bill is what is … Read more
The former leader of the Save Our Bacon (SOB) Act in the U.S. Senate withdraws support for it For more than a decade, the architects of the Save Our Bacon Act have persistently tried to persuade federal lawmakers and federal judges to overturn state animal-welfare laws approved by voters. The courts turned them back in … Read more
Agriculture Committee head also tried (but failed) to gut the greyhound racing ban. The U.S. Senate can correct outcomes at odds with American values I’m still in southern Wisconsin, where the community is abuzz with excitement about the accord I announced yesterday between the Center for a Humane Economy, Big Dog Ranch Rescue, and Ridglan … Read more
U.S. House debate on the bill, replete with provisions to benefit foreign companies and a relative handful of foreign consumers, is here The American public cares deeply about animal well-being. You wouldn’t know it, though, if you dig into the legislative details of the Farm Bill – better defined as the “Factory Farm Bill” – … Read more
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson has put an ugly thumbprint on an inhumane farm bill There have always been hardened opponents of the most important social causes in American history – whether the “fire-eaters” who defended slavery in the antebellum South, the men who mocked women’s suffrage just more than a century ago, or … Read more
There is the stink of foreign influence in Congress as some lawmakers seek to boost international factory farm interests by overturning the will of American voters. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has shoveled a load of pig slop to a handful of farm-state lawmakers in Congress in promoting the Save Our Bacon (SOB) Act. … Read more
But the House Agriculture Committee chairman’s crusade in Congress to repeal restrictions on gestation crates may be headed to the U.S. House floor for a showdown Yesterday delivered one more loss for the crowd hellbent on overturning California’s common-sense laws that farm animals should not be kept in cages or crates so small they cannot … Read more
Trump judge dismisses case for lack of standing, in latest setback by government entities and factory farming interests seeking to overturn states’ most consequential farm animal protection laws WASHINGTON, D.C. – Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy celebrated a U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruling tossing the … Read more
The bill includes a partisan measure to overturn animal welfare laws, while omitting popular reforms to combat animal fighting, dog racing, horse slaughter This year’s Farm Bill — a grab bag of policies related to agriculture, research, and nutrition — would roll back existing legal protections for America’s farmers, farm animals, and consumers, all to … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, reacted to the release of a Farm Bill for consideration by the House Committee of Agriculture expected during the week of Feb. 23. Pacelle was a key architect of all the anti-confinement ballot measures approved by voters by double-digit … Read more
Our new report dismantles the arguments of the National Pork Producers Council and the China-owned and operated Smithfield Foods to unwind Prop 12 and Question 3 Earlier this month, Ohio became the 11th state to limit the use of gestation crates for breeding sows, restricting an extreme confinement measure that keeps pigs in metal traps … Read more
Group says DOJ disregards the views of American egg producers and the fact pattern showing it was avian influenza—not cage-free housing—that drove up prices Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy today panned the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit seeking to overturn Michigan’s cage-free egg law, calling it “grossly … Read more
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio this week becomes the 11th state to limit the use of gestation crates for breeding sows, ending a practice that severely confines pigs in metal enclosures so small they are unable to turn around or fully extend their limbs. The policy’s implementation fulfills the final provision of a landmark eight-point animal … Read more
We came up just short in efforts in the House to defend wolves, but plan to block anti-wolf measure in the Senate It was one of the most consequential weeks of the year for Animal Wellness Action and for our mission to reform federal policy for responsible animal protection, public health, and stewardship of wildlife. … Read more
Reps. Simon, Costa, and McGovern lead a letter signed by 182 Democrats declaring the SOB Act a threat to family farmers and a welcome mat for foreign-owned factory farms WASHINGTON, D.C. — In defense of states’ rights, American agricultural sovereignty, and animal welfare, 182 Democrats in the U.S. House sent a letter to House Agriculture Committee Chairman … Read more
Driven by ideology rather than genuine economic concerns, the National Pork Producers Council is increasingly isolated in its quest to overturn state farm animal welfare laws The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is seeing massive defections within its ranks on its 15-year campaign to overturn Prop 12 and other state farm animal welfare laws. Drubbed … Read more
Court affirms legality of landmark farm animal protection law modeled on California’s Proposition 12 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy today applaud the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit for upholding the dismissal of Triumph Foods’ challenge to Massachusetts’ Question 3, a voter-approved law that prohibits the … Read more
LOS ANGELES – Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and the Center for a Humane Economy (CHE) announced today that the organizations have been granted intervenor status in the lawsuit recently filed by the Trump administration to gut a series of immensely popular hen-welfare laws. Not only do animal welfare groups unanimously oppose this outrageous legal action, but … Read more
Reps. Luna, Valadao, and Garbarino declare the rebranded EATS Act a threat to family farmers and a legislative invitation to foreign-owned factory farms WASHINGTON, D.C. — In defense of states’ rights, American agricultural sovereignty, and animal welfare, 14 Republicans in the U.S. House sent a letter to House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, R–Pa., and Ranking … Read more
There are so many reasons to oppose the legislative scheme by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) to goad Congress into repealing the two most important state farm animal welfare laws in the nation — Prop 12 in California and Question 3 in Massachusetts. These policies restrict extreme confinement in the two states and also … Read more
New report from top agricultural scientists uncovers deception, false claims, and a plan to benefit foreign-owned factory farms You can listen to an AI-generated reading of this story here: The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has long campaigned to block even the most basic humane treatment standards for animals raised for food — especially since … Read more
Animal wellness organizations issue report ahead of House Agriculture Committee hearing that’s a show-and-tell opportunity for National Pork Producers Council WASHINGTON, D.C. — In advance of a House Agriculture Committee hearing devoid of any witnesses who favor states’ rights or are concerned about inordinate influence of China over the U.S. pork sector, Animal Wellness Action and the … Read more
Led by Senator Adam Schiff, Letter Urges Protection of State Animal Welfare Laws and Highlights Bipartisan Opposition Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy applauded 32 U.S. Senate Democrats after they sent a letter today to Senate Agriculture Committee leaders urging them to exclude the Food Security and Farm Protection … Read more
Animal wellness groups say DOJ’s legal claims are “frivolous” and are not a close call for the courts, with the claim headed for defeat WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and the Center for a Humane Economy (CHE) called the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit against the state of California “politically driven” and “a set … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s legal challenge to California’s animal welfare laws, including two landslide ballot initiatives, promoting humane treatment of laying hens and the safety of consumers from salmonella and other … Read more
Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy applaud high court’s refusal to undermine landmark animal welfare law, letting ruling in NPPC v. Ross stand WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to accept a petition for certiorari from the Iowa Pork Producers Council, marking the latest — and perhaps final — … Read more
Factory farming interests lost landmark case before U.S. Supreme Court, NPPC v. Ross, yet they continue to advance far-fetched legal claims Boston, MA — Today, Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy filed a legal brief in federal court in response to continuing legal actions by factory-farming corporations to subvert a voter-approved … Read more
Voter-approved ballot measure to restrict sales of pork from sows kept in gestation crates remains in effect at all food sales outlets in Massachusetts Boston—Today, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts rejected claims from a Missouri-based factory farming corporation that Question 3, a 2016 voter-approved law that prohibited statewide the sale … Read more
Animal wellness groups declare China’s EATS (CHEATS) Act is a giveaway to America’s global rival that will double down on inhumane treatment of pigs. Washington, D.C. — Today, Wayne Pacelle criticized House Republican leaders for charging ahead with a partisan farm bill, H.R. 8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, labeling it an attack on … Read more
Animal wellness groups declare that China’s EATS Act, dubbed the CHEATS Act in its modified Form, is terrible policy for the United States and grounded on a series of false assumptions Washington, D.C. — Today, Wayne Pacelle reacted to the inclusion of China’s EATS Act in the draft Farm bill set for a House committee mark-up next … Read more
China’s EATS (CHEATS) Act bulldozes states’ rights and animal welfare to roll out the red carpet for high-rise factory farms controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Penn., has announced he’s including a provision in the Farm bill to overturn key state laws providing more living space for farm … Read more
Might a version of China’s 26-story, high-rise pig farm be coming soon to the U.S.? The EATS Act is an assault on states’ rights and an invitation for China to bring its high-rise factory farms to the homeland China’s 1.4 billion citizens consume their weight in pigs every year. 700 million animals. 192 billion pounds … Read more
Lawmakers say overturning state laws to benefit foreign interests violates conservative principles Washington, D.C. — In yet one more signal that the EATS Act is viewed as an attack on states’ rights to benefit China’s hold on the American pork industry, 10 conservative Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives today sent a letter to House … Read more
McDonald’s announcement of its transition to cage-free eggs is a marker that animal agriculture must heed the wishes of its customers and do better on animal welfare. Oftentimes, I tell you about the failings of government in implementing animal-welfare laws or corporations delivering on their pledges. Well, here’s good news: a corporation kept its word. … Read more
Animal Wellness Action urges State Attorney General to advocate for no exemptions on sale of factory-farmed pork. Boston, MA — In an ongoing legal battle over the implementation of Question 3 in Massachusetts, a federal judge who had upheld nearly all key provisions of the 2016 voter-approved law struck down this week a very narrow … Read more
A legislative maneuver to overturn free and fair American elections, the EATS Act puts at risk more than a thousand agricultural businesses supplying California with pork and eggs. “Our farm and other Texas family-owned farms and ranches have geared up our production to meet the new and exciting market demand for our products in California,” … Read more
The group has investigated illegal cockfighting in the state and found countless operations clustered in the northern part of the state where latest HPAI outbreak occurred Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Humane Economy warned federal and state authorities about the potential of backyard cockfighting operations to dramatically spread Highly Pathogenic … Read more
New cast of pork companies replay losing arguments in U.S. District Court that U.S. Supreme Court already rejected in May 2023. Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy are responding to news that pork processors have once again asked a federal court to strike down Question 3 — a Massachusetts … Read more
New animal welfare standards in place for “organic seal” in place after more than 20 years of foot-dragging and political interference. Earlier this year, the Biden Administration sided with the National Pork Producers Council to urge the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn Proposition 12. The good news is, a majority of justices … Read more
U.S. Department of Agriculture Releases Final Rule After Two Decades of Foot Dragging and Political Interference. Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy today applauded the USDA for releasing its final Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards rule — a regulatory regimen that for the first time in federal law … Read more
Lawmakers say that overturning American elections to benefit foreign-owned pork-producing corporations is not in the national interest Washington, D.C. — In yet one more showing of building opposition to the EATS Act and any of its potential derivatives, 16 Republican House Members sent a letter today to the leaders of the House Committee on Agriculture urging that … Read more
More than 200 federal lawmakers now on record with two recent letters against a bill to overturn state elections that simply allow farm animals to turn around Washington D.C. – In a second overwhelming showing of opposition to the EATS Act, 30 U.S. Senators sent a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee leaders opposing a sweeping bill … Read more
The EATS Act could deliver China’s high-rise factory farms to our homeland. For the animal advocate who is revolutionary at heart, there’s something inspiring about the farm-animal rebellion staged at Manor Farm in “Animal Farm” (1945). Like most revolutions though, whether fictional or historical, the effort collapses due to the vanities and ambitions of the … Read more
Bill to unwind American elections facing very stiff headwinds. Washington D.C. – In a remarkable showing of opposition to the EATS Act, 171 House members, including 5 Republicans, today sent a letter to Agriculture Committee leaders opposing a sweeping bill to nullify state agriculture laws called the EATS Act. Reps. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, and Brian Fitzpatrick, … Read more
Federal bills would overturn American elections based on series of false frames and assumptions, and aid the Chinese government’s infiltration of American agriculture Washington, D.C. – A new report issued today by the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action reveals that a diversified pig production sector already in place can meet the … Read more
Wishes of Massachusetts voters should no longer be thwarted, including by latest lawsuit filed by yet one more trade group working against animal welfare Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy are responding to news that pork processors have once again asked a federal court to prevent the enforcement of … Read more
New Jersey Governor signs anti-confinement measure, signaling to some farm-state lawmakers in Congress that neither Democrats nor Republicans in the Garden State think it’s acceptable to employ immobilizing crates for the intelligent, sensitive animals. Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action, the Animal Wellness Foundation, and the Center for a Humane Economy applauded Governor Phil Murphy for signing into … Read more
Pork producers and a Chinese-controlled, U.S.-based pork production behemoth appeal to Congress to overturn our elections and to keep pigs in cages in the homeland
State Senate and Assembly, by nearly unanimous margins, sent anti-confinement measure to Governor Murphy for his signature Washington, D.C. – Today Animal Wellness Action, the Animal Wellness Foundation, and the Center for a Humane Economy applauded state lawmakers in New Jersey for passing a measure to ban gestation crates by an overwhelming vote of 35 to … Read more