A SAOVA message to sportsmen, farmers and pet owners concerned about protecting their traditions, vocations and livelihoods from anti-hunting, anti-breeding, animal guardianship advocates. Forwarding and cross posting, with attribution, encouraged.
News & Legislation Briefs April 20, 2012
Dear SAOVA Friends,
This election cycle is critical to sportsmen, animal owners and livestock producers on many levels and SAOVA volunteers are still needed to assist with submitting questionnaires to candidates and following up on responses. If you would like to help, email [email protected] or [email protected]
As always, we encourage cross posting of these messages and thanks for reading.
Susan Wolf
Sportsmen’s & Animal Owners’ Voting Alliance
Working to Identify and Elect Supportive Legislators
FEDERAL LEGISLATION
HR 3798 Egg Bill
The Humane Farming Association (HFA) announced the escalation of its campaign to stop HR 3798 referred to by many as the Rotten Egg Bill. HFA released an animated short entitled A Cage Is A Cage, which the group says exposes the true nature of the egg bill. The coalition of animal rights groups working with HFA want cage free egg production and are not willing to settle for the enriched cages specified in the bill. In a press release Bradley Miller, National Director of HFA, noted the bill created a national standard that could never be challenged by state law or public vote. Miller went on to say this was “a direct assault upon egg laying hens, voters, and states’ rights.”
The Poultry Site reports that EU’s share of European egg total is in decline.
The impacts on the egg market as a result of the directive banning battery cages for laying hens may have been overlooked or underestimated. Just three months after the ban came into force on 1 January, EU egg production is reported to be down by between 10 and 15 per cent and there has been much disruption in the market. It had been expected that some farmers intended to leave egg production rather than update their housing systems: the Commission had estimated 2.5 per cent drop in egg production. However, the Directive has had a much bigger impact than predicted. Full story: http://tinyurl.com/7q8xlbh
A new group, Protect the Harvest, has also prepared a video “The Humane Society's Rotten Eggs”. This informative video explores the continuing attempt by HSUS to disrupt America's egg farmers; and details the consequences of HSUS's actions on U.S. farmers and consumers.
A senate version of the egg bill is expected.
HR 4089 SPORTSMEN'S HERITAGE ACT OF 2012
Unprecedented Pro-sportsmen Legislation passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. HR 4089 passed with a strong bipartisan vote of 274 to 146. The bill is sponsored by the leaders of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC)
An amendment supported by The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) to clarify that the protection given hunting and fishing in wilderness areas is not intended to permit motorized recreation, mineral extraction, etc. was adopted. Three amendments that the CSF strongly opposed on the grounds that they would gut key provisions of this pro-sportsmen legislation were resoundingly defeated.
HR 4089 is essential to recognizing the importance of and facilitating the expansion and enhancement of hunting and recreational fishing and shooting. It is a compilation of four different bills (H.R. 2834, H.R. 3440, H.R. 991 and H.R. 1558) that promote and advance our hunting and recreational fishing and shooting heritage. The Sportsmen's Heritage Act reaffirms that hunting and recreational fishing and shooting are important and traditional activities by providing a sound legislative foundation for the advancement of the sporting heritage. Contact your Senator and learn more at the CSC website: http://tinyurl.com/73meazg
How did your representative vote? Final Vote Results for Roll Call 164 is at the link:
http://tinyurl.com/7snqyu7
STATE LEGISLATION
ALABAMA
Michael Vick Becomes an Animal Rights Activist
Montgomery, AL – Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has decided to get on the other side of the animal fighting issue. He is currently in Alabama urging the State government to pass tougher laws against cockfighting. Vick issued a statement saying that Alabama’s laws are the weakest in the country. S175, the cockfighting bill that would increase penalties, was introduced by Sen. Cam Ward. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee early in the session, but the Senate Rules Committee refused to bring up the bill for a vote. Story at the Inquisitor http://tinyurl.com/86pdfxn
CALIFORNIA
SB1221 to ban hunting bears and bobcats with dogs. Hearing April 24, 2012 Time: 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM; Address 11th and L Streets, Room 112, Sacramento, CA 95814. HSUS announced this week their state director, Jennifer Fearing, will be at the hearing to help supporters.
HSUS support focuses on game animals with high emotional appeal, such as bears, which many in the HSUS targeted audience would believe are facing extinction. The
HSUS sees hunting with dogs as an emotional diving board. It would be easy to transition to hunting quail or ducks if they gain traction in hunting with hounds.
Data indicates that California's bear population has not only increased in recent years but are being observed in areas where they were not seen 50 years ago. However, this expanding population also leads to increased bear/human conflicts. Hound hunting is one of the most highly effective and constructive forms of wildlife management. Hound hunting is a valuable tool to enable control of bear populations in order to maintain healthy numbers as well as enhance public safety. If you cannot attend the hearing, please email or call committee members and your senator. Contact information: http://saova.org/news/CA/Senate.NaturalResourcesCommittee.PDF
MARYLAND
Victory in Maryland as session ends! Animal abuser registry bills S301/HB1020 failed to advance out of Judicial Proceedings Committees. HB912 Pet Guardians also failed, receiving an Unfavorable Report from Environmental Matters Committee.
MISSOURI
House OKs ban on secret livestock videos
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri could become the third state this year to pass a bill cracking down on people who secretly film livestock operations. Lawmakers in Iowa and Utah passed bills banning the practice earlier this year.
The House of Representatives gave initial approval to a bill Tuesday making it a crime to make or distribute a video or audio recording of an agriculture facility without the owner’s consent. The bill also makes it a crime for a potential employee to answer untruthfully if a farm owner asks if the individual is a member of an activist group.
The bill applies only to people who film a video while on private property, such as inside a cattle yard or poultry barn. It does not prevent someone from recording video from public street or a sidewalk. It passed on a vote of 124 yes and 29 no. All Springfield-area representatives voted in favor of it. Backers of the measure in Missouri say they hope to avoid the problems seen in Iowa, where several animal rights groups have used hidden cameras to produce videos of alleged animal abuse inside livestock operations. Full story: News-Leader. http://tinyurl.com/cg296gt
ANIMAL RIGHTS
In answer to state legislation that would ban filming of agriculture operations without permission ALDF has launched a new website “Protect your food from corporate greed”. In addition to a petition, the site includes ALDF “model legislation” that would prohibit purchase and distribution of food in any local, state or foreign jurisdiction which prohibits or restricts, by law or regulation, the ability of a person, lawfully on the premises of an animal production facility or crop operation, to produce, possess or distribute a record which reproduces an image or sound occurring at the animal production facility or crop operation. Source: ALDF Cases & Campaigns and Protect Your Food website http://tinyurl.com/buua2ep
The message above was posted to Oregon, Washington, California, Alaska and Hawaii residents by the Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance (SAOVA) on one of six regional read only elists.
SAOVA is a nonpartisan volunteer group working to protect Americans from the legislative and political threats of radical animal rightists. Visit our website at http://saova.org for this program's goals, methodology and list signup details.
To unsubscribe from this list, exercise that option at http://mailman.montana.com/mailman/listinfo/saova_west
SAOVA
PO Box 612, Spencer NC 28159
SAOVA_West mailing list
[email protected]
http://mailman.montana.com/mailman/listinfo/saova_west
Dear SAOVA Friends,
This election cycle is critical to sportsmen, animal owners and livestock producers on many levels and SAOVA volunteers are still needed to assist with submitting questionnaires to candidates and following up on responses. If you would like to help, email [email protected] or [email protected]
As always, we encourage cross posting of these messages and thanks for reading.
Susan Wolf
Sportsmen’s & Animal Owners’ Voting Alliance
Working to Identify and Elect Supportive Legislators
FEDERAL LEGISLATION
HR 3798 Egg Bill
The Humane Farming Association (HFA) announced the escalation of its campaign to stop HR 3798 referred to by many as the Rotten Egg Bill. HFA released an animated short entitled A Cage Is A Cage, which the group says exposes the true nature of the egg bill. The coalition of animal rights groups working with HFA want cage free egg production and are not willing to settle for the enriched cages specified in the bill. In a press release Bradley Miller, National Director of HFA, noted the bill created a national standard that could never be challenged by state law or public vote. Miller went on to say this was “a direct assault upon egg laying hens, voters, and states’ rights.”
The Poultry Site reports that EU’s share of European egg total is in decline.
The impacts on the egg market as a result of the directive banning battery cages for laying hens may have been overlooked or underestimated. Just three months after the ban came into force on 1 January, EU egg production is reported to be down by between 10 and 15 per cent and there has been much disruption in the market. It had been expected that some farmers intended to leave egg production rather than update their housing systems: the Commission had estimated 2.5 per cent drop in egg production. However, the Directive has had a much bigger impact than predicted. Full story: http://tinyurl.com/7q8xlbh
A new group, Protect the Harvest, has also prepared a video “The Humane Society's Rotten Eggs”. This informative video explores the continuing attempt by HSUS to disrupt America's egg farmers; and details the consequences of HSUS's actions on U.S. farmers and consumers.
A senate version of the egg bill is expected.
HR 4089 SPORTSMEN'S HERITAGE ACT OF 2012
Unprecedented Pro-sportsmen Legislation passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. HR 4089 passed with a strong bipartisan vote of 274 to 146. The bill is sponsored by the leaders of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC)
An amendment supported by The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) to clarify that the protection given hunting and fishing in wilderness areas is not intended to permit motorized recreation, mineral extraction, etc. was adopted. Three amendments that the CSF strongly opposed on the grounds that they would gut key provisions of this pro-sportsmen legislation were resoundingly defeated.
HR 4089 is essential to recognizing the importance of and facilitating the expansion and enhancement of hunting and recreational fishing and shooting. It is a compilation of four different bills (H.R. 2834, H.R. 3440, H.R. 991 and H.R. 1558) that promote and advance our hunting and recreational fishing and shooting heritage. The Sportsmen's Heritage Act reaffirms that hunting and recreational fishing and shooting are important and traditional activities by providing a sound legislative foundation for the advancement of the sporting heritage. Contact your Senator and learn more at the CSC website: http://tinyurl.com/73meazg
How did your representative vote? Final Vote Results for Roll Call 164 is at the link:
http://tinyurl.com/7snqyu7
STATE LEGISLATION
ALABAMA
Michael Vick Becomes an Animal Rights Activist
Montgomery, AL – Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has decided to get on the other side of the animal fighting issue. He is currently in Alabama urging the State government to pass tougher laws against cockfighting. Vick issued a statement saying that Alabama’s laws are the weakest in the country. S175, the cockfighting bill that would increase penalties, was introduced by Sen. Cam Ward. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee early in the session, but the Senate Rules Committee refused to bring up the bill for a vote. Story at the Inquisitor http://tinyurl.com/86pdfxn
CALIFORNIA
SB1221 to ban hunting bears and bobcats with dogs. Hearing April 24, 2012 Time: 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM; Address 11th and L Streets, Room 112, Sacramento, CA 95814. HSUS announced this week their state director, Jennifer Fearing, will be at the hearing to help supporters.
HSUS support focuses on game animals with high emotional appeal, such as bears, which many in the HSUS targeted audience would believe are facing extinction. The
HSUS sees hunting with dogs as an emotional diving board. It would be easy to transition to hunting quail or ducks if they gain traction in hunting with hounds.
Data indicates that California's bear population has not only increased in recent years but are being observed in areas where they were not seen 50 years ago. However, this expanding population also leads to increased bear/human conflicts. Hound hunting is one of the most highly effective and constructive forms of wildlife management. Hound hunting is a valuable tool to enable control of bear populations in order to maintain healthy numbers as well as enhance public safety. If you cannot attend the hearing, please email or call committee members and your senator. Contact information: http://saova.org/news/CA/Senate.NaturalResourcesCommittee.PDF
MARYLAND
Victory in Maryland as session ends! Animal abuser registry bills S301/HB1020 failed to advance out of Judicial Proceedings Committees. HB912 Pet Guardians also failed, receiving an Unfavorable Report from Environmental Matters Committee.
MISSOURI
House OKs ban on secret livestock videos
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri could become the third state this year to pass a bill cracking down on people who secretly film livestock operations. Lawmakers in Iowa and Utah passed bills banning the practice earlier this year.
The House of Representatives gave initial approval to a bill Tuesday making it a crime to make or distribute a video or audio recording of an agriculture facility without the owner’s consent. The bill also makes it a crime for a potential employee to answer untruthfully if a farm owner asks if the individual is a member of an activist group.
The bill applies only to people who film a video while on private property, such as inside a cattle yard or poultry barn. It does not prevent someone from recording video from public street or a sidewalk. It passed on a vote of 124 yes and 29 no. All Springfield-area representatives voted in favor of it. Backers of the measure in Missouri say they hope to avoid the problems seen in Iowa, where several animal rights groups have used hidden cameras to produce videos of alleged animal abuse inside livestock operations. Full story: News-Leader. http://tinyurl.com/cg296gt
ANIMAL RIGHTS
In answer to state legislation that would ban filming of agriculture operations without permission ALDF has launched a new website “Protect your food from corporate greed”. In addition to a petition, the site includes ALDF “model legislation” that would prohibit purchase and distribution of food in any local, state or foreign jurisdiction which prohibits or restricts, by law or regulation, the ability of a person, lawfully on the premises of an animal production facility or crop operation, to produce, possess or distribute a record which reproduces an image or sound occurring at the animal production facility or crop operation. Source: ALDF Cases & Campaigns and Protect Your Food website http://tinyurl.com/buua2ep
The message above was posted to Oregon, Washington, California, Alaska and Hawaii residents by the Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance (SAOVA) on one of six regional read only elists.
SAOVA is a nonpartisan volunteer group working to protect Americans from the legislative and political threats of radical animal rightists. Visit our website at http://saova.org for this program's goals, methodology and list signup details.
To unsubscribe from this list, exercise that option at http://mailman.montana.com/mailman/listinfo/saova_west
SAOVA
PO Box 612, Spencer NC 28159
SAOVA_West mailing list
[email protected]
http://mailman.montana.com/mailman/listinfo/saova_west
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