Our Annual List: Part I of II, 2020 In Review: United States
Since 2015, we’ve presented our annual list. Here is the 2020 version. We present our annual list in two parts. Part I lists the notable stories that affected animals during 2020 on the federal level. In Part II, we look at stories from U.S. states, other countries, and cultural
Don’t see a story you think deserves attention? Want to comment — or challenge — our choices? We welcome feedback: contact us at info@attorneysforanimals.org; or message us on FaceBook.
Links at the end of the article provide additional information.
Image: CDC
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United States
The Covid-19 Pandemic was (and continues to be) all-encompassing. The major impacts include:
A re-evaluation of our treatment of animals, not just by animal advocates and including conservative voices
Wide recognition that international wildlife trade and wet markets (in the US, too) have been an essential element of the spread of the virus; as one example, a bi-partisan group of US lawmakers called upon international organizations to “take aggressive action toward a global shut down of live wildlife markets and a ban on the international trade of live wildlife that is not intended for conservation purposes” and among bills introduced in the wake of the pandemic, “Preventing Future Pandemics Act of 2020”, H.R. 8433/S. 4749 is noteworthy in its comprehensive and global approach to regulating wet markets and the wildlife trade; even Dr. Fauci recognized their danger
Confinement animal agriculture also contributes to the risk, and previous pandemics have emanated from farmed animals — eg, bird flu)
Captive Wildlife, with an emergency petition for rulemaking filed urging the USDA to ban “cub petting” during the pandemic
Mink have been cruelly impacted by the pandemic; Denmark has “culled” millions; in the US, mink on farms in UT and OR have contracted the virus and at least in one instance spread it to nearby wild mink .
Slaughterhouses, workers and meat shortages have been in the news consistently, with the workers — often people of color — at great risk and with little protection; recent USDA policies exacerbated the conditions by allowing faster line speeds; CDC records confirm; workers have filed a civil rights lawsuit; these workers getting vaccine early; boost for plant-based diet
“De-populating” farmed animals when the supply chain broke down, with cruel methods such as suffocation by “ventilation shut-down”; and the indignity of CARES money going to reimburse CAFOs for their loss
Deregulation which harms animals and the environment, and favors business and industry has continued at a brisk pace; in the waning days of the Administration, there’s a rush to finalize rules to make it more difficult for the incoming Administration to overturn; notable is the rush to complete oil and gas leases in Alaska’s pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act and National Environmental Policy Act remain under relentless attack
Litigation continued against rules making it harder to list a species and allowing consideration of economic factors with Attorneys General from several states defeating a motion to dismiss
Bowing to trophy hunters, hunting practices, including killing denning mothers, pus and cubs; and baiting bears are now allowed in all national refuges in Alaska, prompting lawsuit
The gray wolf was de-listed in the contiguous 48 states; but national advocacy organizations vow to fight it (again)
Monarch butterflies are denied ESA protection, as are wolverines (prompting a lawsuit)
The highly endangered Atlantic Right Whale gets some protection but not enough; but good news with sighting of four newborns along GA/SC coast
We remain hopeful that the next Administration will reverse course and salute the nomination of Deb Haaland to head the Interior Department
Migratory Bird Treaty Act in peril with rule that permits “incidental takings”; the rule superceded a statutory interpretation which was thrown out in August in an opinion which began with the memorable line: “It is not only a sin to kill a mockingbird, it is also a crime”
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National Environmental Policy Act changes spur lawsuit by 20+ Attorneys General, and is amended to include violations of ESA
Animal Welfare Act (AWA), Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and Poultry Production and Inspection Act
Some resolution this year to 2017 scrub of on-line Animal Welfare Act inspection and enforcement records as lawsuits settled (and Congress directed restoration in 2020 budget)
Rule allowing waiver of production line speed limits at pig slaughterhouses is being challenged with Attorneys General from several states joining union’s 2019 lawsuit; in February, HSUS filed suit to challenge the waiver process in chicken slaughterhouses alleging violation of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA); these practices are under more scrutiny because of the pandemic and Safe Line Speeds in Covid Act is introduced in Congress
Another suit brought by the Harvard Animal Law and Policy Clinic alleged volations of the PPIA for failure to properly handle chickens at slaughter
Downer pigs: a lawsuit brought by Center for Animal Law Studies Animal Law Litigation Clinic against USDA alleges violations, inter alia, of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
The “Tiger King” phenomenen did focus attention on the harm to animals trapped in roadside zoos; and had some positive impact including the roadside zoo in question being shut down after losing its USDA license; the Tiger King sentenced to 22 years in prison (efforts to get a release are ongoing); the Big Cat Public Safety Act (already introduced) got more sponsors and passed the US House; and members of Congress sent a letter to USDA demanding increased enforcement in light of the series which demonstrated the lax standards and the open mocking of agency procedures
Federal Omnibus Budget Bill passes in late December with many pro-animal provisions, including stricter enforcement of the AWA; directives to the VA and FDA to reduce animal testing; increased funding for DV shelters that co-house companion animals; require USDA to enforce its licensees (puppy mills and roadside zoos) to have disaster plans; directs the US Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure adequacy of state management plans before delisting any species, and to strictly enforce those plans (of note to Michiganders concerning the gray wolf); stricter enforcement of and more resources devoted to wildlife crimes by DOJ; acknowledges the dangers of zoonotic diseases and provides funding for inspections and intelligence and to work with international partners; and funding to USAID to implement programs re global health threats (part of the “Preventing Future Pandemics Act referenced above); more oversight of USFWS trophy hunting policies (the same directive in last year’s budget was ignored); a directive to USFWS to develop policies to replace trapping with non-lethal methods on national wildlife refuges; significant increase in funding for research and protection of right whales; directs the agency (FSIS) to better train its inspectors and be more transparent in reporting findings
the budget incorporates the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) to regulate thoroughbred racing; extends the ban on slaughter of horses for human consumption; increases funding for oversight of “soaring”, a cruel practice used with Tennessee Walking Horses and generally directs better enforcement of the Horse Protection Act; it protects wild horses and burros, encourages humane fertility control and protects the Corolla horses of NC’s Outer Banks
