mike zumwinkle - what’s happening on the legislative front - state

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© 2009 Cargill, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Animal Welfare Legislative Summary.TM

Mike ZumwinkleCorporate AffairsApril 28, 2010

Animal Welfare: A Legislative Update and Outlook.TM

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Objectives

• Current Landscape: How’d we get where we are?• Emerging issues and trends: Where are we going?• Strategy Thoughts Going Forward: How do we win?

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Landscape

Animal Rights groups have been working for years to reshape animal agriculture in the U.S. These groups seek to force producers and animal agriculture to change traditional methods of raising animals.

Through a mix of ballot initiatives, legislation – or the threat of both – these groups have been successful in moving their agenda forward.

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• The level of animal welfare legislation is unprecedented. At present we count 67 bills in over half the states.

• Bills are wide ranging: tail docking, animal cruelty laws, confinement, puppy mills, standards of care, care boards, harvesting issues.

• Ballot initiatives in Ohio and Missouri.

Overall Picture in 2010

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Summary of Animal Welfare Initiatives

Year State Action Result 2002 FL 55-45 pass Ballot, Ban on gestation crates2006 AZ 62-38 pass Ballot, Ban on gestation and veal crates2007 OR Legislation Ban on gestation crates2008 CO Legislation Ban on gestation and veal crates2008 CA 63-37 pass Ballot, Ban on gestation, veal, battery2009 ME Legislation Ban on veal and gestation2009 MI Legislation Ban on veal, poultry, gestation crates2009 OH 64-36 pass Ballot, Creation of Ohio Livestock Care Board2010 OH ?? Proposed Ballot, California-like ban2010 MO ?? Proposed Ballot, HSUS and Industry measure

Note: The margin of victory in every case was significant

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State Commonalities

All of the states had….• Ballot petitions for either constitutional amendments or

initiated statutes• A tradition of initiatives and were politically winnable• Either influential political leadership or significant

electoral votes in Washington• Organized grassroots efforts with affiliated partners

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States with Initiative and Referendum

Constitutional Amendment only

Statute Initiative and/or Referendum

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Animal Rights Activity

Future Targets

States with Initiative and Referendum

Constitutional Amendment only

Statute Initiative and/or Referendum

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• Missouri producer groups proposed their own constitutional initiative• Language affirms right to raise animals in humane manner• Industry also working on creating a livestock care board -- advisory only • HSUS pursuing Puppy Mill bill – presently collecting signatures (130,000).

• Bell weather state and key battleground state. • HSUS pursuing California-like restrictions• Signature collection underway – 402,000 signatures needed• Livestock Coalition has been established.

• Additional legislation proposed• One bill would create an animal abuser registry. • A second bill would apply Prop 2 standards to all eggs imported into state

• Passed legislation on local zoning, considering livestock care board. • Prime target -- constitutional amendment, small number of producers, out of

state companies. Planning underway. Timing uncertain.

1 Missouri

2 Ohio

3 California

4 Oklahoma

Four States on Radar Screen …

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Other State Activity

1. Illinois• Legislation introduced in each of last two sessions; seek to impose CA prop 2 standards.

2. Indiana• Designated the State Animal Health Commission with farm animal care authority.

3. Nebraska • Preparing for legislative and ballot activity; passed two bills this session.

4. New York • Set restrictive standards for animal care

5. Minnesota • Bills on puppy mills, animal cruelty and tail docking.

6. Others? • Issues? Transportation, antibiotics, puppy mills, CAFOs, livestock care boards.

Other State Activity

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• Amend the ballot and initiative process – make issues tougher to place on ballot – Several states considering

• Create Livestock Care Boards – Ohio, Kentucky, WV, ID• Designate Animal Health Commission with care authority – IN• Differentiate farm and companion animals in code – NE• Create language affirming role of livestock in states – MO• Enhanced education efforts, information campaigns• Establish Ag coalitions – seek to expand• Others??

The Response from Ag Groups

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• States that have either passed legislation or ballot measures on animal welfare account for nearly 40 percent of House of Representatives.

• If HSUS has another three year run like the last three years, over 50 percent of the House will be covered.

• Each state has a different set of rules, procedures, guidelines and standards. There will be a call to harmonize standards at the federal level.

• Doubtful that there will be a successful effort for federal legislation in the near term, but pressure may mount if there aren’t some victories at the state level.

• Animal welfare agenda will emphasize other issues.

End Game: Federal Legislation

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Lessons Learned

• Industry has been slow to respond – It has everyone’s attention now, even in states without ballot initiatives.

• Messages need to be clear and convincing – this hasn’t happened yet.

• States with ballot initiatives have a different set of options than states that don’t.

• States need to be organized well in advance to take action. Once the signature drive has started, it’s too late.

• Producers and Producer groups need to stay united.• Old tactics no longer work. Defeating legislation and moving

on no longer works. States need to be creative and proactive.• Animal welfare groups will pursue an incremental agenda.• Financial resources are KEY.

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Recommended Next Steps

• Support strategy for dealing with this state-by-state. We need to find better ways to share best practices.

• Oppose Federal Legislation.• Recognize this movement is not isolated and extends beyond state

borders; each state must define its own response.• Encourage our trade associations to be aligned, anticipate and act

accordingly.• Involve businesses and include non-traditional partners• Be a catalyst for change by helping create industry groups

dedicated to animal welfare.• The Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply• The North America Food Animal Well Being Commission.

• Continue being a leader in animal welfare practices.

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mike zumwinkle - what’s happening on the legislative front - state

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