AWI Quarterly Term Archive
Government/Legal
USDA Attempts to Sweep Bungled HPA Enforcement Under the Rug
Companion Animals, EquinesThe Horse Protection Act (HPA) was passed in 1970 to clamp down on the practice of soring (intentionally injuring horses’ legs and hooves) to create a more high-stepping gait for...
USDA Fails to Respond Swiftly to Animal Suffering
For years, US Department of Agriculture inspectors dutifully documented suffering: Chinchillas with eyes swollen, weeping, and sealed shut; a thin, unresponsive chinchilla, missing part of her leg, brutally “euthanized” by...
FDA Seeks Greater Veterinary Oversight of Antimicrobials for Farm Animals
Farmed AnimalsIn June, the World Organisation for Animal Health reported antimicrobials used for farm animals fell by one-third from 2015 to 2017, with 156 countries reporting decreased usage. Additionally, 70 percent...
Illinois General Assembly Promotes Statewide Food Purchasing Reform
Farmed AnimalsIn June, the Illinois state legislature adopted a joint resolution creating the Illinois Good Food Purchasing Policy Task Force. The task force is charged with studying the state’s food procurement...
Hope Dims as Mexico, WHC Fail to Help Vaquita
Marine WildlifeThe 44th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) was held virtually July 16-31. One issue before the committee was Mexico’s efforts—or lack thereof—to stave off extinction of the vaquita, a...
Biden Administration Suspends ANWR Leases
Terrestrial WildlifeThe Biden administration announced in June that it would suspend all leases and leasing activities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) until it completes a comprehensive environmental review of...
BLM’s Adoption Incentive Program Under Scrutiny
Equines, Terrestrial WildlifeOn May 15, the New York Times published an investigation into the Bureau of Land Management’s Adoption Incentive Program (AIP), which pays individuals to adopt wild horses ($1,000 per animal). Some of...
States Redouble Attacks on Gray Wolves
Terrestrial WildlifeSince the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) stripped Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections from gray wolves across most of the country last year, the embattled animals have come under...
Tiger King Conclusion? DOJ Stepping In to Bring Down Lowes
Terrestrial WildlifeJeff and Lauren Lowe, of Tiger King fame, are closer than ever to being brought to justice. By the end of that wildly popular Netflix documentary, the couple had assumed ownership of...
Equine Protection Measures Advance
Companion Animals, EquinesThe House of Representatives passed two of AWI’s equine welfare priorities as part of the transportation and infrastructure package (HR 3684). One is an amendment banning the transport of equines...