Farm animals are increasingly raised in confinement facilities on industrial-style farms. Their plight is often concealed from public view, but The HSUS is undertaking a multi-pronged public campaign to combat the worst abuses at factory farms.
Just this past week, The HSUS launched a legal action arguing that force-feeding birds for the notorious “delicacy” foie gras is so harmful to the animals’ health that it violates state food law. The action generated coverage in the New York Times and on MSNBC.com, exposing hundreds of thousands of readers to the cruelty endured by birds used in the foie gras industry.
At the federal level, The HSUS is pleased to announce the introduction of the Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act, a bill that would compel producers supplying the federal government with animal products to meet moderate animal welfare standards.
The bill—H.R. 5557—introduced by Reps. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), would improve the lives of millions of factory-farmed animals if enacted. “The way a society treats its animals speaks to the core values and priorities of its citizens,” said Rep. Shays, co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus. “Our government can have a tremendous impact in encouraging improved treatment of animals by requiring producers to meet basic federal animal welfare requirements. I look forward to working with Rep. DeFazio and HSUS on building support for this legislation.”
In addition to litigation and legislation to combat factory farming, The HSUS is also teaming up with Grammy-nominated musician Moby to get the word out. Moby’s new video lets consumers know about the horrors of factory farming and what each of us can do to help reduce farm animal suffering. Free DVDs of Moby’s new video are available to the first 500 people to request one through the new Factory Farming Campaign website.
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