In late November, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked its ban on extra-label antibiotics used in rearing farm animals, particularly in intensive systems.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in November 2015 that it had approved genetically engineered (GE) salmon for human consumption—the first such approval for a GE animal. Further, the FDA stated that it had no plans to require that GE salmon be labeled as such, even though consumers don’t particularly want to eat it and definitely want to know if it’s at the supermarket.
In June, the World Organisation for Animal Health reported antimicrobials used for farm animals fell by one-third from 2015 to 2017, with 156 countries reporting decreased usage.
The Food and Drug Administration claims to want to reduce non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. Currently, farmed animals are administered antibiotics through feed or drinking water to make them quickly gain weight and ward off disease in crowded, filthy, inhumane living conditions.
Feathers is an apt title for this book about exactly that—from the evolution of the first feathers and birds, to man’s desire to use feathers as adornment, for warmth, or as prototypes for human flight.
In March, the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the US Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA)—which provides federal loans to farmers and ranchers—must assess the environmental impact of medium-sized concentr
The federal Horse Protection Act of 1970 (HPA) is supposed to protect Tennessee Walking Horses and other gaited breeds from “soring,” the practice of applying chemicals or mechanical devices to horses that inflict pain in order to cause the exaggerated gait so prized by segments of the show horse industry.
For years, the animal agriculture industry has pressured the federal government to facilitate production of genetically engineered (GE) farm animals as a way to increase production and profits. Just prior to leaving office, the Trump administration published a proposal to transfer the oversight of genetic engineering from the Food and Drug Administration to the US Department of Agriculture, a move that could significantly expedite the process for gaining approval of food products from GE animals.
The Animal Welfare Institute, in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, Animal Defenders International, and Born Free USA, petitioned the US Fish and Wildlife Service today to list American mink involved in trade as an injurious species under the Lacey Act.
In May, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposed what could arguably be considered two of the most detrimental changes ever to the listing process under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Today, PETA, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Cetacean Society International, whale expert Dr. Lori Marino, PETA Foundation veterinarian Dr. Heather Rally, and AWI's Dr. Naomi Rose have filed a lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) over the federal agency's position that it doesn't have the legal authority to enforce permit provisions requiring the submission of necropsy reports and veterinary records for the deceased orcas Tilikum, Kasatka, and Kyara, which would then be made available to the public.
The Animal Welfare Institute is pleased to report that a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District Of Columbia Circuit today denied SeaWorld of Florida’s petition for review of the citation issued in August 2010 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). SeaWorld had sought to overturn a May 2012 ruling by Administrative Law Judge Ken Welsch, who sided with OSHA in finding that SeaWorld exposed its orca trainers to recognized hazards when working in close contact with the animals during performances, and that the abatement procedures recommended by the Secretary of Labor were feasible.
A federal court today affirmed the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) denial of Georgia Aquarium’s application for a permit under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to import 18 beluga whales from Russia’s Sea of Okhotsk for public display at several facilities in the United States. The court ruled in favor of Defendant NMFS and Intervenors Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), Cetacean Society International (CSI), and Earth Island Institute (EII), finding that NMFS followed the statutory mandate of the MMPA in its previous denial of the aquarium’s permit application.
Federal district court Judge Roger Titus of the US District Court for the District of Maryland has issued a comprehensive ruling that an industrial wind energy facility in Greenbrier County, West Virginia will kill and injure endangered Indiana bats, in violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The court concluded that "the development of wind energy can and should be encouraged, but wind turbines must be good neighbors."
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) today called upon Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to immediately revoke the dealer license of Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. (SCBT)—one of the nation’s largest commercial suppliers of research antibodies—in connection with apparent egregious violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
US District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman today issued a preliminary injunction to stop the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from proceeding with controversial experiments to surgically remove the ovaries of wild mares in Oregon. The experiments were set to begin this month on mares recently rounded up from the Warm Springs Herd Management Area.
In April 2014, the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it was suspending imports of sport-hunted African elephant trophies taken in Tanzania and Zimbabwe through the remainder of 2014.
Charging that a massive wind energy project threatens endangered bats, the Animal Welfare Institute, a national animal protection organization, along with the West Virginia-based Mountain Communities for Responsible Energy and other conservationists, have filed what is believed to be the first federal lawsuit challenging an industrial wind energy project on environmental grounds.
Federal lawmakers today introduced legislation to prevent the establishment of horse slaughter operations within the US, end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and protect the public from consuming toxic horse meat.
On November 6, 2015, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced that he would introduce the Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement (ORCA) Act. With eight original cosponsors, the ORCA Act (HR 4019) takes a long-overdue step: it would prohibit the breeding, wild capture, import, and export of orcas for the purpose of public display.
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is urging the US Department of Commerce and the US Department of Agriculture to initiate enforcement actions against Miami Seaquarium (MSQ) for failing to protect the health and welfare of its animals, particularly Toki (also known as Tokitae, Lolita, and Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut), the world’s oldest captive orca.
At long last—and with little time to spare—leaders in the US House of Representatives and Senate have released a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package for the remainder of fiscal year 2023. For animals, the bill offers a mixed bag.
