AWI Quarterly Term Archive
Government/Legal
NC Legislature Lets Big Pork Pollute with Impunity
Farmed AnimalsThe North Carolina General Assembly gave final approval to a bill that restricts nuisance lawsuits against factory farms and other agricultural operations. The law is a reaction to several lawsuits...
USDA Begins Enforcement of New Animal Export Rule
Farmed AnimalsInternational transport of farm animals by sea vessel is a major animal welfare issue, particularly for long-distance journeys, such as those taken by cattle and sheep from Europe and Australia...
AWI at United Nations Ocean Noise Meeting
Marine WildlifeAWI’s Susan Millward participated in the 19th meeting of the UN Open-Ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, held in June in New York, where...
IWC67: Key Decisions, Fractious Discussions Forecast for Florianopolis
Marine WildlifeThe agenda for the 67th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC67), in Florianopolis, Brazil, in early September, will provide unprecedented opportunities for high-stakes drama and high-level dealmaking. Japan’s recent conduct,...
Administration Remaking AWA into Animal Industry Welfare Act
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is facing a grave threat. The Trump administration is engaged in a multipronged pro-industry agenda aimed at eviscerating the basic protections for animals mandated by...
Chipping Away at the ESA
Endangered Species, Marine Wildlife, Terrestrial WildlifeBoth Congress and the Trump administration continue their assaults on wildlife, particularly through efforts to undermine the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Several members of Congress have now packaged together nine...
Offensive Riders Stripped from Defense Bill
On a positive note, one effort to use a critical (and completely unrelated) piece of legislation to erode the ESA failed decisively. The bill in question is the National Defense...
Florida Strengthens Animal Cruelty Law
Companion AnimalsOn March 23, National Puppy Day, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed “Ponce’s Law” to increase penalties for animal abusers. Named after a Labrador puppy found beaten to death, the new...
Rotten Eggs: Iowa Contrives to Keep Hens Caged
Farmed AnimalsIn March, Iowa enacted a law that will require most egg retailers in the state to continue carrying “conventional” eggs from hens raised in densely packed battery cages. Only those stores that...
Trying to Torpedo the MMPA
Marine WildlifeThe picture for marine mammals isn’t entirely rosy, however. After 45 years as the nation’s premier law protecting marine mammals, the MMPA faces several attacks in Congress. Of particular concern...