Program Term Archive
Farmed Animals
Supreme Court Shuns Confinement Cases
Farmed AnimalsIn addition to declining to hear the foie gras challenge, the Supreme Court passed on the opportunity to weigh in on another farm animal welfare challenge, this time with respect...
Yet Another Ag-Gag Law Found Unconstitutional
Farmed AnimalsA federal court has struck down Iowa’s “ag-gag” law. In 2012, the state created the crime of “agricultural production facility fraud” after several undercover investigations revealed worker cruelty to animals....
Barn Fires Killed 150,000+ Farm Animals in 2018
Press ReleaseDecember 28, 2018Farmed AnimalsMore than 150,000 farm animals perished in potentially preventable barn fires in the United States in 2018, an Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) analysis of media reports to date has found....
Farm Bill Advancing Animal Welfare Protections Signed into Law
Press ReleaseDecember 20, 2018Farmed AnimalsWith the president’s signature today, a new Farm Bill that includes major wins for animals has become law. This legislation, officially known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, includes...
Farm Bill Includes Major Victories for Animal Welfare
Press ReleaseDecember 11, 2018Farmed AnimalsThe Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) commends the House-Senate conference committee for rejecting provisions that would have been harmful to animals in the final version of the Farm Bill, which was...
AWI Report Reveals Tragic Toll of Barn Fires
Farmed AnimalsIn 2017, a barn fire struck Hi-Grade Egg Producers in North Manchester, Indiana. At least four poultry barns burned down, killing more than 1 million chickens in a matter of...
AWI Sues USDA to Force Online Disclosure of Records
Farmed AnimalsOn August 23, AWI and Farm Sanctuary sued the US Department of Agriculture for failing to adequately respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request asking for proactive disclosure...
In Natural Disasters, Farm Animals Forsaken
Farmed AnimalsEvery year, millions of farm animals die as a result of natural disasters. Floods, extreme heat or cold, wildfires, and other weather events present grave risks to animals, especially those...
Missouri Muzzles Meat’s Competition
Farmed AnimalsA Missouri law defining meat as “derived from harvested production livestock or poultry” went into effect this fall. The law also creates fines and even jail time for producers who...
Not So Fast: Key Condition Added to Line Speed Waivers
Farmed AnimalsThe US Department of Agriculture recently finalized a new waiver system whereby bird slaughter plants can apply to increase their line speed to 175 birds per minute. Before finalizing the...