PETA’s Statement on Idaho’s Ag-Gag Bill

For Immediate Release:
February 12, 2014

If the Idaho state legislature passes this bill and it becomes law, people all over the country will think Idaho ag has a lot to hide, and kids who love animals will probably demand Idaho meat be taken off cafeteria menus. It’s vital that the public retain the right to document abuse wherever it occurs. Because there are no inspections of farms for cruelty violations and workers who report abuse are often ignored, evidence from undercover investigations is crucial in prosecuting criminal acts. Bad bills such as this one have drawn staunch criticism from well-known figures including Republican strategist Mary Matalin, Cloris Leachman, and Carrie Underwood. They have also died in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, and Tennessee, because lawmakers realize that consumers want better treatment of animals used for food, not for the agriculture industry to cover up illegal acts and penalize those who try to expose cruelty.