Agribusiness is big business, and those interests want to put a stop to undercover animal rights activists raising a stink.
A lobbyist with the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States told The News & Observer that what’s known as an “ag-gag” bill may get a hearing next week in the state Senate Rules Committee.
The bill outlaws the process of misrepresenting yourself to gain employment, a tactic often used by animal rights groups to gain access to farms and uncover mistreatment of animals, mostly through graphic videos.
Thursday, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a video featuring Republican consultant Mary Matalin to state legislators urging them to oppose the bill. The video carried with it graphic images of abused animals.
Called the “N.C. Commerce Protection Act,” the bill’s been linked by opponents to a model bill drafted by the American Legislative Exchange Council titled the “Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act.” Supporters of the state bill maintain it doesn’t only apply to agriculture, and the people affected wouldn’t support a farm that was 100 percent ethical.
“You have organizations that don’t like farming, period, don’t want animals used for anything,” said Kim Decker, marketing specialist for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in April.
Animal rights group Mercy for Animals led an investigation into Butterball turkey operations in Lenoir County and surrounding counties in 2012, instigating law enforcement investigations by using tactics specifically banned in the legislation.
A similar investigation in Hoke County in 2011 led to five criminal convictions for animal cruelty.
NCDA&CS awarded Butterball the 2013 Exporter of the Year award for shipping 100 million pounds of turkey to 50 countries.
“The investigations undertaken over the years by citizen journalists and animal welfare advocates have helped to uncover inhumane farming practices and serious food safety violations,” wrote Rebekah Wilce of the progressive Center for Media and Democracy, regarding the bill. “Banning these investigations will likely generate even more serious scandals.”
Attempts to reach a representative for Butterball and Sanderson Farms, which conducts extensive chicken operations locally, were unsuccessful.
Poultry industry representatives point out that a healthy, cared-for bird produces a better product for the consumer, and it’s not in a company’s or a farmer’s interest to raise injured or diseased fowl.
“In sum, broiler companies are well aware of their responsibility to treat birds in a responsible and humane manner,” said a statement from the National Chicken Council on its website. “They also have strong economic incentives to do so.
“Criticism of industry practices comes largely from people who are opposed to using animals for food under any circumstances, a philosophy that is not accepted by the vast majority of Americans.”
Poultry farms are usual targets for such undercover work, but pork and beef operations haven’t been ignored, either.
Sen. Louis Pate, R-Wayne, said if the bill reaches the Senate floor, he’ll support it.
“I don’t believe that people should get a job under false pretenses, regardless of what the job is. I would be opposed to it,” Pate said.
Sen. Don Davis, D-Greene, was unavailable for comment.
The legislation’s lead sponsor, Sen. Brent Jackson, R-Sampson, said he was unaware of any action because of focusing on the budget.
“I haven’t heard a word out of the Rules Committee,” Jackson said. “We’ve just finished with the budget crossover and with the budget for the last two weeks, and I have not spoken with Sen. (Tom) Apodaca about that bill.”
Sen. Apodaca, R-Henderson, is the chairman of the committee.
The bill was reported favorably out of the Commerce Committee and Judiciary Committee I before moving on to Rules.
Wes Wolfe can be reached at 252-559-1075 or wes.wolfe@kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.