Is Legislation Needed
to Protect Livestock
Producers from False
Accusations Regarding
Animal Welfare?
representation, these regulations could reflect the
views of animal rights, as opposed to animal welfare,
which would create unattainable standards for
livestock producers.
West Virginia Farm Bureau has a proactive policy
to address animal welfare issues at the county level.
WVFB Policy #27 supports the establishment of
a livestock committee in each county to handle
complaints of inhumane livestock treatment. First,
Danielle Grant
the committee should be appointed by the county
commission from recognized farmers within the
county. The committee would be called upon by the
“Jay Leno was hilarious.” “Jay Leno was vulgar
county animal cruelty investigator if an individual
and crude.” Both comments were made during the
was reported for negligent animal care, and they
2015 American Farm Bureau Convention while
would assist with the investigation. Secondly, if
watching the exact same presentation. It is amazing
the county humane officer finds livestock in dire
how two people seeing the same presentation can
have two completely different views. The same issue conditions during the investigation, he/she should
contact a veterinarian for further investigation.
occurs when considering animal welfare, from the
WVFB Policy #27 addresses the major concerns most
perspective of the consumer versus the livestock
livestock producers have if their operation is being
producer. As Farm Bureau members, it is crucial
investigated. The policy assures individuals with
we evaluate our current animal welfare policy to
determine if changes are necessary or if policy needs practical agriculture experience, or trained in animal
health, are the individuals determining if the producer
to be created to protect our producers against false
has been negligent in caring for his/her animals. As
animal abuse accusations.
Farm Bureau members, we need to work to assure
Defining animal welfare can be a challenging task; this policy is incorporated into our animal welfare
law, because current state law does not include the
however this definition is extremely important in
protecting producers. For some of our citizens, proper creation of a livestock committee at the county level
and does not require the county humane officer
animal welfare includes ensuring the animal has all
physical needs met, such as proper nutrition, adequate to contact a veterinarian or the County Livestock
Committee before prosecuting the producer.
space, low stress handling and veterinary care when
needed. For others, animal welfare means ensuring
West Virginia currently has a state Livestock
the animal is “happy.” Animal rights activists support
Care Standards Board, which consists of thirteen
the “animal is happy” definition, and that believe
members. These members include the Agriculture
animals should not utilized for agricultural products.
Commissioner, the Director of the Animal Health
Division, a licensed veterinarian, the dean of a the
As livestock producers, we must assure the
agriculture department of a college or university, one
definition utilized for determining the care standards
member representing a county humane society, two
for our animals are realistic and measurable.
members representing public consumers, one member
Assessing an animal’s “happiness” could be difficult
knowledgeable about food safety, two members
for an animal abuse investigator; however, if the
representing statewide organizations that represent
investigator was educated in animal science, they
farmers and three members representing family
could evaluate an animal’s Body Condition Score,
farms. The agriculture community is well represented
review the feed and water availability and living
on this board. The purpose of the board is to prescribe
conditions to determine if the livestock had proper
care. The agriculture community must be represented standards for livestock care and well-being that
endeavor to maintain food safety, encourage locally
when creating state regulations defining animal
grown food, and protect West Virginia farms and
welfare standards. Without proper agriculture
10 West Virginia Farm Bureau News