Iowa Assembly to vote momentarily on bill outlawing undercover farm videos by Katerina Lorenzatos Makris
Any minute now the Iowa General Assembly is expected to vote on legislation that would prohibit animal protection groups from getting the type of photographic and video images upon which they rely in their exposes of the cruelty they say runs rampant in factory farms.
House File 589 would allow for fines and incarceration of those who seek employment on farms for the purpose of taking photographs and video.
Moments ago Animal Beat (AB) spoke briefly with Iowa legislator Rep. Annette Sweeney, R-Hardin, who said the bill’s intent is to prevent individuals from gathering images at farms without owners’ consent.
Rep. Sweeney, on her way onto the House floor, was not available for further comment until after the vote.
Last night in San Diego AB covered an event organized by Mercy for Animals (MFA), one of the groups who oppose legislation such as that proposed in Iowa. On the side of a truck parked downtown, MFA displayed its film “From Farm to Fridge,” featuring footage of animal abuse recorded at several farms around the country. The event was part of MFA's nationwide tour with the film.
Please check this page again for more reports on this issue and on the MFA event.
