There are many abuses occurring in United States farms and slaughterhouses. One of the best ways to prevent abuses is for owners of farms and slaughterhouses to know there is a possibility that one of their workers might secretly be taping their every move.
Instead of states making animal cruelty illegal states including Iowa, Utah, and Missouri have created laws which make the taping of animal abuse illegal. Indiana and Tennessee are expected to vote on similar laws in the coming weeks. The Indiana bill is considered very controversial with labour groups and the state press association opposing the bill.
The videos taped by animal rights activists spark change and farmers feel the consequences for their mistreatment of animals. In some cases large businesses buying meat from farms with awful treatment of animals will find a new farm to buy from with better farming practises. McDonald’s refused to buy any meat or egg products from a Wyoming farm because of a video released about their cruel practises. McDonald’s later said the video played a role in their decision to find a new supplier. Farmers are hurt economically by these videos.
Many state legislatures seek to make taping animal abuses and applying for a job without telling of affiliations with animal rights groups illegal. The American Legislative Exchange Council is a business advocacy group comprised of many representatives from farm states. Officials from the group play a large role in creating model bills to protect farmers.
The new possibilities of activists being sentenced to jail time has caused a chilling effect. The First Amendment should guarantee activists the rights to free speech, instead state legislatures are punishing people for uncovering injustices in the American food system.
Don Lehe, an Indiana Republican State Representative said farmers are shown in a false light when videos of animal cruelty are posted on the internet. Lehe said farmers are not able to redeem themselves and the practise of taping animal treatment is unfair. Farmers and livestock companies believe the videos shown are not about making conditions better for animals, instead activists are trying to persuade the audience to stop eating meat.
Animal rights activists have currently been pushed out of states with laws making the taping of farming practises illegal. Activists have to find new creative ways to obtain the information they need to expose cruel farming practises. The videos gathered by activists have played major roles in exposing injustices. If activists are not able to film farming practises the public will remain ignorant about the origin of their food.
No comments:
Post a Comment