Current Press Releases

Farm Sanctuary Urges Michigan Lawmakers to Let Voters—Not Big Agribusiness— Decide How Farm Animals Are Treated 

Gene Baur: “Allowing the industry to be the only voice in deciding how farm animals are treated is just bad policy. Their voice is self-interested at best, and at worst, un-American.”

Watkins Glen, NY – June 24, 2009 – Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, which operates the largest rescue and refuge network for the victims of factory farming’s abuses in North America, today issued a statement from Gene Baur, president and co-founder, in response to legislation introduced in Michigan— HB 5127 and HB 5128, and SB 654 and SB 655 — that would create a council dominated by meat, egg and dairy industry interests and give that council sole authority to regulate the health and welfare of farm animals:

“We are disappointed by Big Agribusiness’ blatant attempt to evade meaningful change for Michigan farm animals, but we are not surprised. Resorting to frenzied final hour diversions is a common ploy when public sentiments are not on your side. Farm Sanctuary, along with the Humane Society of the United States, has conducted polls that show the public overwhelmingly wants animals to be treated more humanely on farms. And let’s face it, if Big Agribusiness was capable of adequately overseeing the treatment of farm animals, then veal calves, pregnant pigs and other farm animals wouldn’t be confined in crates or cages so small they can’t turn around, lie down or extend their limbs to begin with.

Making matters worse, this legislation would preempt any local laws that would impose higher welfare standards and preclude local enforcement of farm animal care standards. It also purports to create a presumption that common factory farming practices — such as keeping veal calves continuously tethered and crated and keeping egg-laying hens in cages so small and crowded that they can’t even spread their wings — are not cruel or inhumane. Our more than 23 years experience caring for and rehabilitating animals who once suffered from the debilitating effects of factory farming tell us otherwise.

At our shelters, we see first-hand the toll severe confinement systems take on farm animals, and I assure you, when the wellbeing of a living, breathing, feeling being is at stake, you don’t want to fall on the side of callous disregard. I urge the Michigan legislature to do the right thing and show these animals the compassion and consideration they deserve.

Peoples’ attitudes about animals raised for food are rapidly changing, and the more they learn about the intensive confinement these animals experience behind closed doors, the more they demand that lawmakers take action to stop it. Michigan legislators would do well to recognize that agribusiness’ treatment of animals is outside the bounds of acceptable conduct in a society that values compassion. Their attempt to enact this legislation is a blatant power grab that seeks to subvert the will of the people.

The animals are at our mercy, and it’s up to us to alleviate their suffering. Policymakers in Michigan should follow the example of sensible lawmakers, industry leaders and voters in other states, and enact laws that codify humane societal values. It’s time for Big Agribusiness to examine its practices and cease acting with blatant disregard for other animals. What is wrong with giving animals enough space to stand up, lie down, turn around, and extend their limbs? In the absence of a reasonable compromise, Michigan voters will decide the matter.

Allowing the industry to be the only voice in deciding how farm animals are treated is just bad policy. Their voice is self-interested at best, and at worst, un-American.”

Last month, Maine became the sixth U.S. state to ban tiny crates for animals on factory farms, joining Colorado, Florida, Arizona, and Oregon. And in a landslide vote last November, residents of California, the nation’s largest agriculture state, approved the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, making it illegal to confine pigs in gestation crates, calves in veal crates and egg-laying hens in battery cages. Meanwhile, restaurants, producers and retailers all across the country — including Safeway, Burger King, Wendy’s, Carl’s Jr., Hardees, Wolfgang Puck and Smithfield Foods — are increasingly moving away from supporting cages and crates on factory farms.  

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.