Analysis – Attorneys for Animals

8 Jan 2025

The 103rd #1: Welcome, Members of the Michigan Legislature. The Image We Chose.

by Bee Friedlander | posted in: #LameDuck, #MIlameduck, Analysis, Legislation, Michigan House Leadership, Michigan Legislature, The 102nd, The 103rd | 0

Image | Michigan State Capitol CommissionNOTE: Two years ago we began “The 102nd”, an occasional series to document interesting or little-known observations about the 2023-24 Michigan Legislature, the state’s 102nd. We’re carrying on the tradition with the first post of … Continued

6 Jan 2025

Lunch + Legislation, Kate Brindle, HSUS, “Michigan Cage-Free Law Takes Effect”

by Bee Friedlander | posted in: Advocacy, AFA Members, Agriculture, Analysis, Ballot Initiative, CAFO, EATS Act, Factory Farming, Farmed Animals, Lunch + Legislation, MDARD, Michigan Legislature | 0

We welcomed Kate Brindle, Program Manager, Public and Corporate Policy, Farm Animal Protection, HSUS. The law that requires all eggs sold in Michigan to come from hens who are raised in a cage-free environment finally went into effect in Michigan … Continued

31 Dec 2024

A Look Back at 2024 in Animal Law, Policy, Welfare, and Advocacy

by Bee Friedlander | posted in: #LameDuck, Advocacy, Analysis, Legislation, Michigan Legislature | 0

This is our 10th annual list. As with earlier lists, it will be a mixed and complicated picture for animals. Unlike many other years, there is also a sense of trepidation with the new Administration returning to D.C. Remember: always … Continued

27 Nov 2024

Turkeys: A Thanksgiving Day’s Perspective

by Bee Friedlander | posted in: AFA Board, Agriculture, Analysis, Factory Farming, Uncategorized | 0

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.

31 Oct 2024

“Defeat the EATS Act” Update

by Bee Friedlander | posted in: Activism, Advocacy, AFA Board, Analysis, ASPCA, CAFO, Congress, EATS Act, Factory Farming, Farm Bill, Farmed Animals, Federal, House Agriculture Committee, Legislation, Lobbying, Senate Agriculture Committee | 0

9 Oct 2024

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

by Bee Friedlander | posted in: Activism, Advocacy, Analysis, CAFO, Factory Farming, Farmed Animals, Lunch + Legislation, Michiganders for a Just Farming System, SB 275, Uncategorized | 0

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

9 Sep 2024

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

by Bee Friedlander | posted in: Activism, Advocacy, Analysis, Congress, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, Endangered Species Act, Federal, federal agency, Lunch + Legislation, Natural Resources Commission, Wildlife, Wildlife Killing Contests, Wolf, Wolves | 0

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

1 Jul 2024

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

by Bee Friedlander | posted in: Advocacy, Agriculture, Analysis, ASPCA, CAFO, Congress, EATS Act, Factory Farming, Farm Bill, Farmed Animals, Federal, House Agriculture Committee, Legislation, Lunch + Legislation, Senate Agriculture Committee | 0

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

29 Jun 2024

Focusing on the Farm Bill

by Bee Friedlander | posted in: Advocacy, Agriculture, Analysis, Congress, EATS Act, Factory Farming, Farm Bill, Farmed Animals, Federal, House Agriculture Committee, Legislation, Senate Agriculture Committee | 0

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

8 Jun 2024

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

by Bee Friedlander | posted in: Advocacy, Analysis, Breed Specific, Dangerous Dog, House Agriculture Committee, Legislation, Lunch + Legislation, Michigan Legislature, Michigan Legislature Committees | 0

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