AWI Quarterly Term Archive

Quick Read

Equine Protection Measures Advance

Companion Animals, Equines

The 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...

OIG Report Exposes Recordkeeping Chaos at USDA Animal Care

Companion Animals

In another indictment of the US Department of Agriculture’s lax enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), a new report from the department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) criticizes the...

House Committee Approves Increased Funding for Right Whale Conservation

Marine Wildlife

Since 2017, the alarming number of North Atlantic right whale deaths from entanglements in fishing gear and vessel strikes has been deemed an “unusual mortality event” under the Marine Mammal...

AWI’s Lawsuit Regarding Treatment of Nonambulatory Pigs Moves Forward

Farmed Animals

A federal court in New York recently denied the US Department of Agriculture’s motion to dismiss claims by AWI and other organizations alleging the department has illegally failed to regulate...

Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act Introduced in House

Terrestrial Wildlife

AWI supported House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) in reintroducing the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act (HR 4716) in July. This bill would prohibit the possession or use of...

FDA Seeks Greater Veterinary Oversight of Antimicrobials for Farm Animals

Farmed Animals

In 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...

Senate Passes Shark Fin Sales Ban

Marine Wildlife

On World Oceans Day (June 8) the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, which would prohibit the sale, purchase, and possession of shark fins in the United States, passed the Senate...

Fire Code Revised to Better Protect Farm Animals

Farmed Animals

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international nonprofit organization seeking to eliminate death, injury, and economic loss due to fire and related hazards. It accomplishes this mission through...

Wildlife Services Directed to Pursue Nonlethal Management

Terrestrial Wildlife

Every year, the US Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program spends millions of dollars on lethal, ineffective predator control, including chemical poisons such as M-44 sodium cyanide devices. Last year,...

Illinois General Assembly Promotes Statewide Food Purchasing Reform

Farmed Animals

In 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...