Humane Society Continues to Seek Animal Protection Laws in State Legislatures
The Humane Society of the United States is apparently continuing to push for ballot initiatives and legislation that would impose new requirements on the livestock industry. In Vermont, legislators are considering a bill (S. 230) that would require that “a representative of the Vermont humane society be present when livestock are bled or slaughtered, and to report and increase penalties for violations of the humane slaughter rules.” Proposed penalties for violation of the law could include fines no less than $5,000 and 90 days in prison.
Meanwhile, a petition has reportedly been filed with Ohio’s attorney general seeking the certification of an initiative to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot in fall 2010 to require that the state’s newly formed livestock board adopt humane slaughtering measures. The proposed amendment would also prohibit killing animals by strangulation and prevent the sale, transport or receipt “for use in the human food supply” of “downer cows.” According to a news source, the amendment would also punish violations of humane animal treatment standards with a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
In Kentucky, a Senate committee has apparently approved a bill (S.B. 105) intended to preempt animal-rights groups from imposing livestock standards in the state. It would create a Livestock Care Standards Board that would include food producers and be chaired by the state’s agriculture commissioner. The bill’s sponsor was quoted as saying, “The goal is that the conversation be driven by scientific standards and practical animal care standards and the conversation not be driven by emotion.” See The U.S. Agricultural & Food Law and Policy Blog, February 2 and 5, 2010.
