Undercover investigations by animal advocates are an important tool in exposing the cruel realities of factory farming. However, industrial agriculture is continuing the tactic of introducing anti-whistleblower legislation (often referred to as “ag-gag” bills) to prevent the investigation and exposure of cruel conditions endured by animals on factory farms.
As of the 2013 legislative session, anti-whistleblower bills have passed in six states (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Utah) but have been defeated in many more (Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wyoming). Many legislators have come to understand how harmful these bills are, and in 2013, out of the 15 ag-gag bills introduced, not one became law.
Several anti-whistleblower bills have been introduced in 2014. Please visit out action eAlert page to see if there is something you can do to help stop an anti-whistleblower bill from becoming law in your state.