AWI Quarterly Term Archive
Quick Read
SEA Act Drops Anchor on Marine Species
Marine WildlifeThe Marine Mammal Protection Act celebrated its 45th anniversary last year, but a sizable faction in Congress seems intent on dismantling some of its core provisions. On January 10, the...
States and Cities Opting Out of Circus Animal Acts
Terrestrial WildlifeTwo states and several local governments joined a growing list of jurisdictions acting on behalf of wild and exotic animals exploited by circuses and other traveling exhibitions this past year....
Another Ag-Gag Law Ruled Unconstitutional
Farmed AnimalsIn a split decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has partially affirmed the district court’s findings that an Idaho “ag-gag” law is unconstitutional. The Idaho law was passed under...
USDA Proposes Letting Industry (Secretly) Police Itself
The US Department of Agriculture is soliciting public comment on a discredited idea that would undermine the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) by putting animals at the mercy of the industries...
California Ballot Initiative Seeks Stronger Confinement Ban
Farmed AnimalsThis November, California citizens may have the chance to vote for farm animal welfare. A coalition of stakeholders is gathering signatures for a ballot initiative that would strengthen the California...
Zinke Zaps Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Terrestrial WildlifeOn January 11, AWI wrote to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke requesting that his department halt its plan to eliminate certain protections for migratory birds. This plan, released in late December,...
Drawing a Curtain on Cruel Confinement of Veal Calves
Farmed AnimalsThe end of cruel confinement methods for veal calves in the United States is drawing ever closer. In 2007, the American Veal Association (AVA) pledged to transition away from solitary...
USDA Thumbs Nose at Public, Moves to Withdraw Organic Animal Rule
Farmed AnimalsIn January, the US Department of Agriculture proposed withdrawing the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule. The rule represents the culmination of a decades-long process involving multiple stakeholder groups, including...
AWI Files Suit to Save Vaquita
Marine WildlifeIn a desperate attempt to save the last remaining vaquita porpoises, AWI and other groups filed suit against several federal agencies in December. The vaquita, a small porpoise that exists...
AWI Sues over Access to Tilikum Necropsy
Marine WildlifeAWI filed suit in January against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) related to the agencies’ refusal to enforce requirements for SeaWorld...