Bills’ Buried Provisions Favor Big Ag Over Environment

smcdonaldAnimals, Environment, News, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

It’s been all-over the news: President Obama has officially signed the final government spending bill, averting yet another a near-complete government shutdown. Dubbed “cromnibus” it’s a continuous financial resolution that includes all kinds of random “kitchen sink” line items, and it reached an outrageous $1.1 trillion by the time Obama signed it last week. What’s not so much in the news are some of …

Hen Protection: The Meat Industry’s Problem With Federal Hen Protection Bill

smcdonaldAnimals, Legal Advocacy, News, Veg Eating Leave a Comment

ncba-hammer-henbill_1-250x325.jpgEarlier this year, Rep. Kurt Schraeder (D-OR, and the only veterinarian in the Congress) introduced the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (HR 3798) that outlines a ban on the use of barren battery cages on egg factory farms nationwide. In addition to providing hens with more living space and environmental enrichments such as perches, nesting areas, and scratching areas so hens can engage in more natural behaviors, it also mandates that all egg cartons sold in the U.S. include a label that clearly identifies the method of production (i.e. “Eggs from Caged Hens”).