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Michigan: Don’t Let the Fox Guard the Henhouse
 (6/23/09)

Big Agribusiness has lobbied to have legislation introduced in Michigan that would create a council dominated by meat, egg and dairy industry interests and give that body sole authority to regulate the health and welfare of farm animals. The bills, HB 5217 and HB 5128 / SB 654 and SB 655, also purport to create a presumption that common factory farming practices – such as keeping veal calves continuously tethered and crated, and crowding egg-laying hens together in constrictive battery cages – are not cruel or inhumane. In addition, they would preempt any local laws that would impose higher welfare standards and prevent local authorities from enforcing farm animal care standards. 

These bills represent the animal agriculture industry’s attempt to be the only voice in deciding how farm animals are treated and evade broadly-supported efforts to outlaw the cruelest factory farming practices, including confining animals in crates so small they can’t even turn around or spread their limbs. Such a broad delegation of authority to an industry-dominated body is bad news for farm animals and the public, which has clearly indicated how deeply it cares about the treatment of farm animals.  It is crucial that we thwart Big Agribusiness’s cynical attempt to squelch farm animal welfare reform.

Because the Agriculture Committees are scheduled to hear the bills this week on Wednesday, June 24, we need you to act now and send a quick and easy e-mail to your representative and senator asking them to vote NO on these bills.

After you send your e-mail, follow up with a phone call to your state representative and senator simply stating your opposition to HB 5217 and HB 5128 / SB 654 and SB 655. And please let us know about any feedback you receive from your legislators by e-mailing us.