AWI Quarterly Term Archive
Government/Legal
Ag Secretary Says We Need “Better Solution” than Slaughter for American Horses
EquinesSecretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told reporters in March that “Congress should come up with a better solution for handling unwanted horses than slaughtering the animals for meat for human...
Antibiotics: for Us or for Animal Abuse?
Farmed AnimalsU.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has reintroduced the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (“PAMTA,” or H.R. 1150) into the House of Representatives. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) intends to...
Bans on Inhumane Farming Practices: Some States Step Up While Others Stonewall
Farmed AnimalsEven as some state legislatures seek to cover up abuse via ag-gag bills, a few are in pursuit of higher ground: last year, Rhode Island joined a growing list of...
Bill to Ban Horse Slaughter Introduced
EquinesThe Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act of 2013 was introduced on March 12 in both houses of Congress. Sponsored by Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in the Senate...
Illinois House Advances Bill to Restrict Dog Tethering
Companion AnimalsThe Illinois legislature has taken steps to protect animal welfare and public safety by advancing HB 83, a bill that would restrict the tethering of dogs throughout Illinois. Tethered dogs...
See No Evil: Efforts Continue to Pull Blinds on Farm Animal Abuse
Farmed AnimalsIndustrial agriculture is continuing the tactic of introducing anti-whistleblower legislation to prevent the investigation and exposure of cruel conditions endured by farm animals on factory farms. These bills, referred to...
Ag-Gag Bills Back on the Agenda for 2012
Farmed AnimalsUndercover investigations by animal advocates are an increasingly important tool in exposing the disturbing realities of factory farming. However, a number of states have begun to consider legislation aimed squarely...
Aerial Assault on Animals Flies Under the Radar
Terrestrial WildlifeIn mid-December, the advocacy group, WildEarth Guardians, settled a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit brought in federal court against the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to obtain reports related to...
Appropriations: Bad News
EquinesFor the first time in six years, Congress has opened the doors to restarting horse slaughter in the US. The bill to fund the US Department of Agriculture for the rest...
Appropriations: Good News
Endangered Species, Terrestrial WildlifeAs far as animals are concerned, the catch-all bill that Congress passed at December’s end to fund government operations through the rest of FY 2012 is as important for what...