Ia Bill to Ban Animal Abuse Recordings by Undercover Workers

A couple of bills, one by the democrats and one by the republicans, are being discussed in the Iowa Legislature. The proposed bills deal with people who video record abuse in farm facilities such as hog confinements and chicken operations. If passed, the bill would make it illegal for someone to ask for a job when they really only want to get damaging video on how that farm treats its animals. Should this bill pass?

Most farmers who own large animal operations want the bill to pass. They say reporters are unfair and there's too much potential for someone to misrepresent what's really going on. Of course animal rights activists are not for the banning bill and say that they have a right to get a job under false circumstances in order to record any misconduct by the farm and its employees.

Then there is the muddy gray waters of the middle. Livestock owners have a responsibility to raise healthy animals that are treated humanely. Many hog operations knock baby pigs in the head that are not thrifty. Why do they do that? Because to pamper those runts costs a lot of time and money and the farms can't afford it. If you have a "downed" animal, one that can't get up, most of the time there is no easy way for the farmer to move it. The kindest thing is to shoot it and move it. The tapes that we see of "downed" animals being moved by loaders while still alive is appalling even to some livestock owners.

Have you ever tried moving sows? They have a mind of their own and a body that follows it. If you want them to go straight, they'll turn inside out to make a turn. Some farms use electric prods and some use shields to keep them going the direction they are supposed to. Tempers flare on occasion. And some workers do go over board when things aren't going well.

If there is no legal way for someone to get inside of animal facilities, will it encourage bad behavior on the farms' side? Does the mere thought of someone catching what you do on video keep you from abusing animals needlessly?

Should the bill hit a happy medium instead of all or nothing for one side or the other? Would this bill also affect other avenues of raising animals? Would puppy mills be off limits to being caught on camera or video?

There are over zealous "reporters" who sometimes tend to make something very innocent seem like a tragedy. If my old milking goat has a picture taken of her and her backbone shows, will I be accused of animal abuse? Never mind that she is 12 years old, retired and enjoying her life here.

There has to be a bill that protects both the animals and owners. It should be done by responsible people and not by people with an agenda to shut down livestock facilities. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. I trust Iowa can get this right.

DesMoines Register