Turkeys: A Thanksgiving Day’s Perspective

It’s estimated that 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving, translating to roughly 46 million turkeys being consumed on the holiday alone. Each year, about 215 million turkeys are raised and slaughtered in the U.S. While turkeys have a prominent place in the American Thanksgiving tradition, the legal protections for these birds remain virtually nonexistent.

Lunch + Legislation: Sarah D’Onofrio, PhD, Scholar Activist

Dr. D’Onofrio applies principles from sociology, political science, economics, and science to her on-the-ground work as an advocate for rural communities. Her research focuses on the harm caused by Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (“CAFOs” or factory farms) to rural communities. … Continued

Lunch + Legislation: Amanda Wight, Wildlife Protection Manager, HSUS, “Wolves in Michigan

While wolves in Michigan are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, both federal and state lawmakers, backed by a large contingent of hunters, trappers, and farmers (although by no means all) are actively seeking to overturn federal ESA protections, … Continued

Lunch + Legislation: Kara Shannon, Director of Farm Animal Welfare Policy, ASPCA, “Farm Bill Update”

A massive piece of legislation that dictates what our public dollars are going to support in agriculture. It’s… our opportunity — instead of propping up factory farming (which…has been done for decades) to…seeing those billions of dollars… supporting meaningfully higher … Continued

Focusing on the Farm Bill

Image: Scott Bayer, USDA “The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law that governs an array of agricultural and food programs. It provides an opportunity for policymakers to comprehensively and periodically address agricultural and food issues.”[i] This massive piece of … Continued

Lunch + Legislation: Rep. Veronica Paiz and How Bills Evolve to Focus on Service Animals, Artist as Advocate

Something that would have people more mindful, more considerate of their behavior or actions … Rep. Veronica Paiz, Lunch + Legislation, Saturday, June 8, 2024 Rep. Paiz spoke of HB 5525, a bill that would create civil liability for death … Continued

Defeat EATS Coalition Fights On: 5/28/24 Update

Margo Miller, board secretary, is AFA’s representative to the nation-wide coalition. Here’s her report. On May 21, 2024, House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson introduced H.R. 8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, which was slated … Continued

Lunch + Legislation: Rep. Stephanie Young, Including Animals in Sentencing Guidelines

We welcome Rep. Young, who represents the 16th District in the Michigan House, to talk about the importance of the bill package she is leading, to put animals into the picture when judges are sentencing defendants who have been convicted … Continued

The 102nd #5: “It’s Always Something”

A tip of the hat for Detroiter Gilda Radner who inspired the title of today’s post. But the expression perfectly captures the way it’s been for animal-friendly legislation moving (or not) in this session of the legislature. The Democratic trifecta … Continued