|
CNN Exclusive by CNN Investigative Correspondent Chris Frates Wake County, North Carolina - Chickens buried alive. Pigs so sick that their intestines hang out of their bodies. These are some of the grisly scenes from videos taken by animal rights activists who went undercover at farms that produce food destined for dinner tables. It’s a tactic animal rights activists have used for years, going undercover at slaughterhouses and factory farms to document squalid conditions, abuse and neglect. Their videos have gone mainstream and led to criminal charges, fines and even the largest meat recall in American history. But undercover video is under attack and with it, activists argue, their ability to expose animal abuses that can make meat dangerous to eat. Increasingly, industries that have been infiltrated and exposed by undercover activists are counterpunching. In state capitols around the country, the agriculture industry is pushing legislation that would essentially outlaw undercover investigations and the videos they produce. In the past two years, three states have passed so-called “ag-gag” laws while 14 others have considered similar legislation, according to The Humane Society of the United States. Matthew Dominguez of the Humane Society, said undercover investigations are a critical tool activists use to keep a secretive industry in check. “These investigations have exposed not only animal abuse but also food safety, workers’ rights, environmental issues,” he said. “These ag-gag bills should scare every American because Americans have a right to know what’s happening with their food. They have a right to know where their food is coming from.” Shocking footage from a chicken farm Prince Poultry is a chicken farm less than an hour southwest of Raleigh, North Carolina. Posing as a college intern, an employee with the animal-rights group Compassion Over Killing filmed workers burying chickens alive among other decaying birds. In one scene from the video given to CNN, she asks whether a farm hand is going to kill a bird destined for the burial pit. “No, we’re going to drop them in the pit just like they are,” the worker responds. “You dump them in there and then Mother Nature takes care of the rest. You go in there in the summertime, and it smells real nice over there. If you look down in there, it’s like a gravy that’s simmering and squirming.” In an interview, the undercover activist, who did not want to be identified, said, “I saw cruel practices every day I was on the farm from the first day to the final day. I'd say everything that you see in the footage is standard there.” It’s that kind of footage that North Carolina state Sen. Brent Jackson has proposed outlawing. Animal activists say it’s an effort to lock the barn door and keep the public in the dark. On the floor of the state Senate, we wanted to ask Jackson about his proposal. It was a short conversation. “I don’t have anything to say to CNN,” the Republican state lawmaker responded. The North Carolina Poultry Federation and the North Carolina Chamber also declined to talk about Jackson’s proposal. On the farm where the chickens were buried alive, owner Tim Prince said he was surprised to learn that his former intern was actually an undercover animal rights activist. “She's taken six weeks of work and narrowed it down to a few bad things I’ve done. And I’ve done it. It's obvious,” Prince told CNN. “She took just a very minute little things that we’ve done wrong.” Pressed on that point, Prince admitted that people might think burying chickens alive is more than a small transgression and that the birds should have been killed more humanely. But, he says, he does care for his birds. After all, they are his livelihood. “I try to run a clean business. And there was a few things on there I saw that shouldn’t happen,” he said, adding that he worried how the video would affect his business. 'His choice in terms of how to operate his facility' The head of the group that produced the video has little sympathy for the chicken farmer. “What we documented is how he is operating his facility, and it’s unfortunate that what we documented is so egregious that we hope that state authorities will get involved and prosecute this case for burying birds alive,” said Compassion Over Killing executive director Erica Meier. “That was his choice in terms of how to operate his facility.” The group said it has filed a complaint with local law enforcement authorities. A spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Justice confirmed that the State Bureau of Investigation has opened an investigation into alleged animal cruelty at Prince Poultry. Prince grows about a million chickens a year exclusively for Pilgrim's Pride - the second largest chicken producer in the world that sells chicken to major supermarkets and fast-food restaurants. "Out of an abundance of caution, we have retrained the grower in question and his employees,” Pilgrim's said in a statement to CNN. “Pilgrim's prioritizes the welfare of our chickens, whether under our direct care or under the care of our contract growers. The proper treatment of animals is one of our core beliefs." Perhaps one of the most shocking things about factory farms is that there’s almost no one watching them. There is little federal oversight so undercover activists are often the only way abuses are uncovered. An undercover video shot by a PETA employee shows what the group says are lame and sick pigs left to languish in a so-called junk pen, without veterinary care. At the Wisconsin farm owned by Babcock Genetics, the pigs were so sick their intestines hung out their bodies while others were unable to walk, PETA said. The animal rights group filed a complaint with the local district attorney, who confirmed his office is reviewing it. In the complaint, PETA included the opinion of experts in veterinarian medicine and pig production. “They were unanimous in saying that these animals suffered unnecessary and excessive pain,” said PETA’s Dan Paden, adding the animals either needed immediate veterinarian care or to be put down. If the pigs survived, they would be sold for meat to a slaughterhouse where they would then be inspected, he said. Could consumers' health be at risk? Some experts say it might not be safe to eat. Dr. Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, said the meat could carry a deadly infection. “When you look at this kind of footage, what you are really seeing is a cauldron that is just producing bacteria that get into the food that ultimately makes its way into your home,” said Barnard, whose organization advocates a plant-based diet. “As a doctor,” he said, “I would advise any parent who has ever had a sick kid to realize that these illnesses come from somewhere. Very often they come from the fact that animals are abused and are sick on farms, and we didn’t realize that we were bringing that disease into our homes, threatening our own family.” Babcock’s company veterinarian, Darwin Kohler, said PETA’s allegations were untrue, even before he saw the video. “Any allegations are false, because I know what goes on in the barn,” he said. Eventually, Kohler watched the video, twice, and said it was taken out of context. "We are committed to caring for animals in a way that protects their well-being. ... A third-party audit of the farm in question is being conducted,” the company said in a statement to CNN. “Based on the audit's findings, we will make appropriate corrective actions if needed." In both cases, it was the undercover activists' video that brought alleged mistreatment to light. But if supporters of ag-gag laws are successful, these kind of exposés would essentially be outlawed and the abuses they uncover kept behind closed doors. This story was reported in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Minnesota. CNN’s Glen Dacy contributed. Previously: |
  Recent Posts
Visit Eatocracy’s new home Recent comments
Pinterest  |
 |
|
If these videos are outlawed, then you might as well outlaw all undercover work by law enforcement agencies. They are "misrepresenting themselves" to get evidence as well.
Isn't banning exposure of these horrid practices infringing on First Amendment rights?! It's a gag order – these kinds of businesses NEED to be exposed so that consumers can make an informed choice. Abuse of ANY living being is unacceptable.
The animals that are in the video that are being "mistreated" are not part of your food. They are being removed from the healthy animals so that they do not contaminate the healthy ones, your food. If we REALLY want to talk about mistreating animals lets do this....the "undercover intern" probably drove to her "new job" on the farm in her car with leather seats, with her leather work boots on. So, let me ask you this. Where does leather come from? Cows... I doubt that cow willingly gave up its hide to cover her seats. Toothpaste, car tires, clothes, carpet, asphalt, children's toys, medicine, cell phones, everything around you is agriculture based. WHY DO AMERICANS HARP ON DESTROYING THE ONE INDUSTRY THATNIS KEEPING US ALIVE!!!!!!! Wether you eat meat or tofu, it's your choice, but somewhere someone is doing these things to children. Yes, animals are important, no one is saying they are not. But why is no one doing under cover videos in sweat shops in China or finding sex slaves on the black market or reporting more on our soldiers overseas. Call me what you want. I live on a farm, grew up on a farm, and I am raising two, kids on a farm. Not all farmers are horrible people. Stop making it sound like they are. Come see.
It still should all be done HUMANELY!
I agree. This worker should be held accountable. This is not the way the rest of the farming industry operates. The other 5,000,000 farmers should not be given the same bad name for the mistake of one worker, is what I was trying to say.
I disagree. There have been far too many documented cases of animal abuse by factory farms all across this country. Factory farming is a model born out of greed. What works for automobiles fails miserably when living beings are involved. It is ethically and morally wrong to treat sentient beings as a product or commodity and this is exactlly what factory farming does.
Lady – its human beings like you that has brought the culture of animal abuse at every farm on this planet – you and your breed are a disease to the human race – you protect these farm workers torturing these animals and you just cover it up and pretend it does not exist.
Davey- it's human beings like you who are out of touch with the real world. There are far worse things in this world going on. THIS IS HORRIBLE. IM NOT DENYING THAT. But you are the damn fool criticitizing people through the computer when you have no actual background on the subject at hand. I will be MORE than happy to show you actual farm in NC and other states where this does not happen. PETA is famous for staging these events and filming them for their own agendas. I am not saying this is one of thoes twisted events but wouldn't you think that a group with the well being of animals as their top priority shouldn't be doing that? You attack me personally, yet you don't have a clue who I am? I see children DAILY who experience FAR WORSE THAN THIS! All I'm saying is, if America spent half as much energy on its children, homeless, veterans, disabled, mentally disabled as they do on animals, our national would be much better off as a whole and we would not have to experience these problems in the first place, sir! But, thank you for your unwanted input on the matter. I will be sure to file it with the other bullshit I have received. Have a wonderful night. :)
What should this worker be held accountable for, reporting criminal animal abuse and using her first amendment rights to do so?
You are incorrect, Sarah. Butterball workers hit Turkey's with crowbars for fun. They beat them because hearing them gobble gobble, helps them with boredom.
Most of these workers are Mexican or Latino workers, and undocumented. They get pissed because they are bored, and make about $12 an hour, while their wife stays home with their 5 kids...WE..NO I pay for
They are stupid, angry–and need criminal psychological help. To intentionally hurt a weaker living creature that has no recourse is a sociopath.
These people are sick, and no one holds them accountable.
We don't need to eat animal flesh. Are you kidding me?
corn? delicious! Potatoes? Tomatoes? Pears? Oranges? Mushrooms?
You think you have to eat these animals, because media pushes it.
Veggie burgers? Blackbean and Prime Grillers? Delicious salad with cranberries and almonds or pecans? Mushrooms and tomatoes tossed in al fresco sauce with linguini? Pears, Oranges, Bananas?
Are you kidding me? MUCH better than torturing and killing animal flesh–skin, bloody meat.
Oh..people always revert to Tofu..Um..peanut butter, beans? People always want to yell–ewwcucumbersw–Tofu. Really? Are you kidding me?
Spinach and cucumbers–tomatoes, sprouts with avacodo spread on a soft baked roll?
We can easily eat well, without this barbaric meat eating. It is not necessary
You have no idea what was driven what was sat upon what was worn. When you are in the wrong standard practice dictates that you misdirect attention elsewhere, you obfuscate, you bamboozle. Factory Farms should infact admit their culpability improve the standards of animal welfare and then market their humaness. Instead they buy off politicians to have them pass unconstitutional laws. In the end this will backfire on them because Americans are a compassionate and fair people that will not tolerate this kind of brutality to animals
True. But you also probably have no idea what goes on on a real farm on a daily basis. Farmers ARE fair to their animals. The man in this video was not a farmer. He was a hired hand. He received his paycheck regardless therefore he could've cared less. You saw the reporter show the farmer/ owner the video and he did not know that was occurring and he was not happy with it and he stated that in the video. A REAL farmer cares about his animals and takes great pride in ensuring that they grow to their fullest potential, just like some would do for their own children. Are there pitiful excuses for farmers? Yes. But there are also pitiful excuses for parents too. Farmers do all that they can do for their animals, the better the quality, the bigger the paycheck. Why wouldn't they do all that they could? I agree that animals should be treated as humanely as possible, I'm not arguing with you. But you can't bash the entire farming industry for the bad decisions of a few. Judging by your vocabulary, I would say that you are a well educated person and know that there are always going to be people who do not follow the rules.
You're missing the point of this article and of the previous comments, no one was saying this is happening on every farm, it is specifically documenting two separate incidents. Good for you for conducting your business and livelihood ethically and not as these two operations were. But assuming things that you don't know, like what the person filming these videos was wearing, and questioning their Constitutional rights, makes you look like a moron on here.
No one stated that all animal farmers are evil. The reason for concern and outrage is the culture present at that farm supports disgusting, cruel, and 100% unnecessary torture of totally benign and innocent animals. Why do people complain about other people CARING? Just because someone cares about how animals are treated doesn't mean they DON'T care about children, soldiers, homeless people etc. If someone thinks there is nothing wrong with burying an animal alive, then they are fu**ed in the head, and need mental therapy and an education in empathy and compassion. I take care of chickens that lay eggs and each one has a personality, and a right to her own life. Try to consider the possibility that MAYBE, just maybe, animals are not here for humans to use for clothing, food, trophies on walls, and entertainment. And whether or not you agree, at the very least, animals should not be tortured and inhumanely killed.
If you had bothered to read other comments you would have read where I had said almost your exact words in response to another comment above. Maybe, just maybe, more than just one person here is, as you say "fu**ed in the head". I am against unnecessary torture of animals but I am also against unnecessary regulation of an industry as a whole for the stupid and irresponsible acts of a few idiots who obviously weren't raised with any morals.
REALLY ?? THOUS HELL FARMS IN AMERICA ARE DISGUSTING!!!!!
Got that right
Eco
REALLY ?? THOUS HELL FARMS IN AMERICA ARE DISGUSTING!!!!!
yep..and it's because we let immigrants in, and they need jobs (WELL FOR 3 MONTHS–then they can get unemployment)
And they are nasty–and mistreat the animals–All because the U.S. takes these immigrants in.
Tell me Eco– will your country take these immigrants in?
Sarah,
No one is saying that it is wrong to kill animals for their meat. What is heinously wrong is torturing them, burying them alive and raising them in substandard, filthy, disease ridden conditions. Imagine this....the hormones produced by the pain and fear that course through these animals' bodies every minute of every day create free radicals and make their meat unhealthy for human consumption. Treating them humanely, raising them kindly and in good conditions, just like the farm you were raised on, would create a much more healthy environment.
This type of animal cruelty, whether it be pigs, cattle, chickens, is totally and completely unacceptable and I EAT MEAT!!!
Sarah,
Really? Stabbing cows with screw drivers, beating turkeys with crowbars, burying chickens? For what..fun?
Your point on this discussion, lateral point, about children is true. But this is videos undercovering horrible atrocities against animals that are already there to die.
Yes, child abuse is horrific. This site is about keeping animal abuse in farm factory working alive.
It will stay alive
*Videos alive
This site is about keeping animal abuse in farm factory videos alive,,,God bless the undercover agent–that has to see that, and remain silent.
The video's will not cease
This needs to be shown on the news for the world to see.
OMG! Chicken for KFC???
When Donald Sterling was caught showing his bigotry, did you people immediately start labeling all NBA owners as bigots? There are people in this world that make terrible decisions and are horrible people, but don't label an entire agricultural industry based on the few abuse videos that make it onto your television. How many farms did this intern have to go to before she found this guy that was obviously doing wrong? I am a veterinarian for an agricultural company that puts food safety and animal welfare at the top of our priority list...because I certainly wouldn't work for a company that didn't. We have extensive training for every employee when we hire on...and routinely while they work for us....this includes the farmers we have contracts with. Will there be someone that lies to us and treats their animals bad when noone is looking? Yes, because we live in an immoral society and people like that exist everyday. However, WHEN we catch those people, they are IMMEDIATELY terminated...per our contract. As far as this bill goes, do you realize how many "undercover videos" are staged?? (Probably not, because you believe everything you see on TV.) It's obviously not on this one, but MANY of them are. If someone from PETA (which by the way has an agenda for everyone to go vegan) comes in and stages a video that is leaked to the media, our company lose customers...yet the person staging the video walks away without reprecussions. This bill is designed to give companies the ability to go after that person...the bill is NOT designed to censor the public from agriculture. Some media outlets choose not to tell stories from that view point, though. If you want to know where your food comes from, ask questions. This country is SO far removed from the very thing that built it (farming) that people have become scared of what they don't know anything about. #themoreyouknow
REALLY THAT SHOW ON THE VIDEO!!!!!
Exactly CNN has the same agenda as PETA and that is to advance a very radical vegan criminal agenda.
"this guy" ?? You think we are labeling this as a problem based on 'This guy"? Um..beating cows with wires, having sex with cows and turkeys?? Butterball's exposure! Beating turkey's with crow bars? Stabbing cows with screwdrivers while workers put their penis inside them? Are you kidding me?
I was a licesnsed Vet Tech for 6 years while getting my Nurse Practitioner's License. Don't you dare belittle this–or try to reduce it to the ridiculous. This is NOT ONE GUY and one episode.
Get your head out of your ass, and perhaps you can find compassion
I am boycotting ALL products from states that pass such laws and thing millions of others in America should too. That will get these stupid laws repealed – REAL FAST! This is the work of Republican fascists and sadists! These guys would make Josef Mengele (the Nazi butcher), proud!!
if you really are a"truth seeker" them you should know that Mengele and others like him promoted animal rights while doing unspeakable things to humans.. argument fail
Dougy boy – thank you for demonstrating how people are idiots.
Hey dumb@$$ I guess history wasn't part of your last year of school which was probably the 2nd grade.Hitler and many Nazis were adamant vegetarians and animal rights extremists murdering hundreds for minor things like shoeing a horse.Try reading a history paper instead of sleeping under it.
I'M whit you Truth Seeker!!!!
The vile posts by the right wing jerks illustrate how truly sick and demented they really are.
Or how loaded with troll the threads are.
Hopefully they will die off one day – they are mostly old white guys who lost their minds long ago!!!!
...or expose how SICK you are.
world will perish, because of human behaviours. All living being should be treated properly or else GOD knows how to give in return.
The urban based radical animal rights ret@rds just keep losing.Ag'gag laws.hunting interference laws and now Wayne Pacelle and HSUS have to pay millions for a lost law suit because of stupid radical animal rights extremism.LIke a bunch of California urban Timothy Treadwells spout extremist stupidty...and to think Treadwells parents thought he wouldn't amount to crap.Boy were they wrong.
There is a reason Neanderthals went extinct, "Ray." No doubt, like you, they chest thumped, proclaiming their presumed superiority to all. PETA is a human organization, not reflective of the broader spectrum of efforts to alleviate animal suffering. If we humans are so smart, why don't we deign to help "lesser" creatures? Isn't that some sort of biblical message, or are all arrogant human chauvinists cherry pickers when it comes to rationale?
Sure yeah right mister vegan wackjob.
You are SICK beyond belief dude!!! Proof positive why we absolutely NEED these kinds of videos, in order to put these operators out of business and in jail (for a long time)!!!
Dude you are SICK beyond belief.Eat you tofu and veggies and shut the f### up.
You want sick go look in the mirror.
Yeah sure right so vegan radical animal rights dirtbags can force their agenda down everyones throats with their highly edited videos? Novel idea how about IMMEDIATLEY reporting and helping the alleged poor animal instead of letting it suffer for video oppurtunities? So sick and tired of urban PETA spewing arrogant bullying in this country.
If you don't think that meat producers have an agenda you're a lost cause. They don't take the animals and run away and help them right away because that's called "theft". And by showing you what horrific things are being allowed in the United States no one is trying to push their vegan agenda down you're throat. Every single commercial break there's an ad for animal based products and abuse. Rodeo's, circuses, zoos, EVERY eating establishments, grocery store commercials, ect! And you think seeing a one story finally aired on CNN is a problem!? Try for a minute to look see clearly what the world look like to a vegan or vegetarian. People who pay attention, have compassion, and believe in change. And no, we are not all members of PETA or any other organization, although I'm glad that they are brave enough to step into such situations and gather the data needed to create change in the nations slaughter industry. Also if you'd read the entire article or watched the entire piece you would see that it puts human health at risk which is also a great concern. So instead of throwing your opinion out onto the web for the world to view as if it has any importance, do some actual research first.
'
If you think that PETA isn't a propaganda agency dedicated to pushing an agenda you're wrong. These farmers and large farms don't have agenda's other than making money. The problem is they tarnish the second biggest company based on the actions of one farm.
Amen!
Ray, you are correct that all animal cruelty should be reported as soon as possible – I hope you yourself will do this, as with child cruelty too. The thing is, some of these incidents would not be known about but for secret filming, sickening as it is to see. There are some workers on hell holes around the world that produce fur for dirtbag celebs who want to wear an animal pelt who have risked a lot to film the gut wrenching scenes of raccoon dogs being skinned alive for fur-some do it for money yes, but they will pay the price if they get caught. Guys who bash an animal in the head with a iron bar are not so nice. THAT is a dirtbag, not someone who cannot stomach eating animals or their produce. If we do not see anything, how can anyone know what is going on?
You are SICK beyond belief dude!!! Proof positive why we absolutely NEED these kinds of videos, in order to put these operators out of business and in jail (for a long time)!!!
Mandate cameras in every area where beings are handled for food – though this will help some others will still suffer in darkness and isolation. It is a shame that we are entrusted with these beautiful beings and that we take their lives for food...but some how we cannot manage to treat them honor them and treat them humanely along every step of the way. Karma reaches EVERY person that touches these animals....whether on the farm or at the food table.
AND the "Greenies"/"Tree Huggers" whine about hunting ???????????
Human filth if you ask me.Urban PETA spewing Taliban.
Are you SERIOUS?? DID IT EVER OCCUR TO YOU,THAT NOTHING...AND I MEAN NOTHING,NO LIVING ENTITY ON THIS PLANET,IS EVEN REMOTELY INTERESTED IN EATING HUMAN BEINGS???EVEN SHARKS SPIT US OUT.....BUT! HUMANS DELIBERTALY KILL OTHER HUMANS....but we don't EAT THE,we TORTURE THEM,KILL THEM,EXECUTE THEM,BUT HUMANS ONLY EAT WHAT THEY TERRORISE,HUNT,and have TOTAL POWER OVER...YOU BIG INSECURE LUMP.....YOU'D BE THE TYPE TO MAKE WOMEN WEAR BURKHAS,CHOP PEOPLE'S HANDS OFF AND SHOOT POOR DEFENCELESS ANIMALS!! YOU HUMAN THINGS MAKE ME SICK.
Your Dunkin Donuts card has been canceled.
This is the main reason the MAIN reason I have gone vegetarian, & frequently vegan with most of my food. I do get my eggs & chickens from a friend, free range organic. no more pork nor beef for me ever!
If you're eating chicken then you're not a vegetarian.
What should be required at factory farms are webcams throughout the facilities so everyone can see how their food is produced.
EXACTLY!!! That is what I have said for years. Consumers could simply demand this, and lawmakers could then do NOTHING about it. Walmart, Kroger and other food distributors could just refuse to buy products from producers who don't comply. Hopefully, a movement will now start to force all factory farms to have 24/7 monitoring, along with 24/7 onsite veterinary oversight of all operations.
I don't know that we'd have to go as far as webcams. But I posted yesterday on this thread to install video cameras just like we have in convenience stores. Employees would know authorities could look at the archives at any time.
If the general public wants to see how their food is produced just contact the farm or slaughterhouse and ask for a tour. Most of them are happy to give access to their facilities.
Well, if you want cameras on farms to monitor farm workers, do you also recommend cameras in our homes? In our yards? How about in the nursing homes or mental institutions where kids, adults and seniors are mistreated routinely? What about the privacy issues for farm owners? What about the animal rights radicals who seek positions on farms and other facilities in order to create abuse and then film it?
How dare these evil liberals take profits from the pockets of hard working agriculture executives!!! And how dare these greedy, lazy citizens demand to know what is in their food! o back to Russia, Commie Nazis. If you want safe food for your pathetic kids, be born rich, you losers! All citizen access to knowledge should be banned, and truth-seekers should be jailed and executed. These laws, and the Republicans that pass them, are true American Heroes. God bless them.
Yeah. We should let the heroic Republicans do their job at keeping things secret. Americans deserve to eat and prosper. Who cares how or what we get to eat.
Those who seek the truth are the evil ones.
Sarcasm.
Consumers should now simply demand this 24/7 video monitoring of all animal treatment, and lawmakers could then do NOTHING about it. Walmart, Kroger and other food distributors could just refuse to buy products from producers who don't comply. Hopefully, a movement will now start to force all factory farms to have 24/7 monitoring, along with 24/7 onsite veterinary oversight of all operations.
The republicans are who doesn't want businesses like this to be regulation. Ronald Reagan is a prime example of that
Thanks for doing this very important story CNN.
Yep I have heard they abuse and hurt animals there beat up pigs cow chicken also babies animals too really sad I pray hope they need check them need stop kill them more Not want see people get sick from farm animals sad and they need so something about it what do
Mute point anyways as there are already many online sites to " out" videotaping animal rights criminals.
If you are going to sell a product that ends up in the hands of the public then the public has a right to know and inspect exactly what goes into the making of that product.
cruel, greedy, mean people without a conscience so sad. How could ANUONE turn a blind eye to SUCH CRUELTY!!!!!!!!!!!!
if they are not doing anythng wrong why would they be so concerned with people recording anything
Totally!
So you are OK with me sneaking into your house and recording your family in secret?
My family doesn't raise animals for public consumption. If we did, then yes. Come right on in. I would have nothing to hide.
So it's okay to do it sometimes....well who gets to decide when it's okay?
So if your kids decide to plant a little garden in the backyard then I have a right in invade your home and film everything in secret...What about a bathroom cam?
See the issue here is you want it both ways. It's one way or the other. You decide.
WHAT?????You have sooo totally missed the point!! DON'T YOU WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOUR FOOD COMES FROM AND HOW IT GETS TO BE DEAD??? If these greedy producers had NOTHING TO HIDE,therewouldbe cameras all over the place – JUST LIKE THERE ARE IN YOUR STROES,GAS STATIONS,STREETS,SPORTS STADIUMS...ARE YOU OK WITH THAT????? Or is it ok to ABUSE,VIOLATE AND TORTURE YOUR FOOD??? I for one,want to know if my food is safe from disease....but then I don't eat dead things..I have more respect for myself and the animals.FILMING YOUR FAMILY???It probably already is being done!!!
Your Starbucks card has been revoked.
Again who decides when it's okay to ignore peoples right to privacy? Do you get to decide, do I. Again my example is fully valid. If I decide you have no right to privacy should I be allowed to sneak into your home and film you. Everyone keeps putting the focus on what was discovered but ignores the big picture. Tell me what if nothing had been discovered, what if nothing wrong was done but they filmed something they shouldn't have. I'll give an extreme example, what if they filmed someone on witness protection and aired the film. Yes I know it's a bad example and will never happen, but the point is...who gets to decide....are we going to try and develop a 5 million page law that saws you have a right to privacy except if you are involved in these businesses....who decides what business shouldn't be allowed privacy, you or I? How about this...I think churches use confession as a bad thing, I'm going to hide camera's and record being confessing and then air it because I think some of the things are scary and we have a right to know everything about our neighbors...right.
ROBYN DO THE WORLD A FAVOR AND S T F U. You are just another big city radical animal rights WACKJOB probably paid to advance CNN's radical animal rights agenda.STUPID
Your example of a kid's backyard veggie garden doesn't quite work with your argument... Essentially, if you are preparing products or food in your home and selling them to the public, the public has every right to know of your business practices and cameras could/should be used to monitor your practices to ensure you're doing what you say you are. It's called "accountability". Businesses need to be held accountable for their practices. If they are for your own private use or consumption, no cameras. I think it's pretty simple really.
I run a business from home selling baked goods and am subject to regular inspections by the local board of health. I would have no opposition to a live camera feed being placed in my work area that was turned on during business hours while I'm baking for customers to see. I don't have a problem with it because I'm not doing anything wrong and have nothing to hide.
Open your eyes, people, wake up. Live your life as cruelty free as possible because you CAN. It's better for you, the people, the animals AND the earth.
Daielle, I agree with you. If they aren't doing anything wrong they shouldn't have a problem with cameras.
Who gets to decide what's wrong and right. Maybe I think the bedtime you set for your kids is bad...do I now have a right to film your family in secret?
It's all fun and games until it's you. That's the issue here.
Look. I'm not trying to be a dick, but do you really think dumping live animals into a death pit to die on their own is really acceptable? We all know of the horrors that factory farm animals have to endure. Do we really wanna compare it to setting our kids bedtime? Seriously? It takes a very cold person to carry out these heinous acts on another living creature. The way I see it is this....run your business and behave like a productive member of society and you should have no problem with a camera. Pretty simple.
ill dump u and ur mom into a chicken death pit with no camera how bout that dumb dick head
Again you guys are missing the point. This has nothing to do with Animals. The problem here is that there is no oversight on the people deciding what is okay to film and what is not. I did notice EVERYONE ignoring my question...and I know why because if you did in fact answer my question you'd have to admit I'm right.
Protect the animals, it fine and we should protect animals, but we have to treat people the same, we cannot say that you have a right to privacy....well most of the time but you don't have a right to privacy in the times that I decide, or doe blow decides. That's the problem, we have rules in place regarding your right to privacy...we just ignore them when we feel like it and that's a problem.
Exactly!
One reason would be because some of the more rabid activists could (and do) falsify the secret video. It's been discovered some of the videos circulating on the internet even had planted people in the facility who purposely abuse animals just so they can film and hopefully discredit the company. I think video cameras should be there so inspectors can look at everyone anytime they want to. Certainly more effective than a PETA person with an agenda poking around for a couple of weeks.
These abusive farm factories are criminals. Instead of stopping their malpractice and improving the horrifying situations, they come up with 'Ag-Gag bill'. This bill asks for abuse and torture to the innocent defensive lives behind the closed doors. People who claim 'Ag-Gag bill' should be punished severely by the law. These workers and companies are livings who cannot appreciate what other innocent animals die for people's consumption. I screamed when I watched this under-cover video. It is too disturbing to watch. Please throw all the CEOs of these meat companies to the jail and lock them up or the same compartment where they force animals to stay.
If they don't have anything to hide, then they shouldn't care if anyone's inspecting them. The know what they're doing is horrible and that's why they're trying to hide it. If this passes, we've gone back in time 100 years as a society.
I am going to find out which states have "outlawed" undercover films and not buy another thing from those states. It's absurd than in 2014 America we are still allowing animal abuse.
Missouri, Utah, and Iowa.
There needs to be independent oversight. Of course, it would take funding the governmental departments, and finding inspectors that are bribe resistant. Seems impossible.
Anybody interested in the problems with modern factory farming should read the book, "Eating Animals," by Jonathan Safran Foer. It is well written and researched, and unlike many animal rights groups, he does not take an "eating animals is morally wrong" position. What he does show is that the conditions in high volume ranching and meat production companies like Pilgrim's Pride, Smithfield, etc. abhorrent, the animals are brutalized and tortured by the inhumane conditions they live under as well as outright acts of cruelty by the plant workers. The workers themselves are subjected to pretty inhumane working conditions, the pollution and fecal waste from these factory farms is enormous and create an externalized environmental impact that the companies do little to address.
I choose to eat meat because we, as a species, are omnivorous, and there are nutrition and health benefits from eating meat along with fruits, vegetables and grains. But I only buy meat from farms that are certified humane and do not use antibiotics or growth hormones on their animals. Voting with your wallet is the most effective way to curb the terrible practices at factory farms.
Um apparently you didnt get the memo that explained that we are not obligate omnivores and can live perfectly healthy without meat. You probably know that already and just looking for an excuse to eat animals. You need to do some research on "certified humane". It's completely corrupt. And even if they did have a good (and very short) life, it's unjustifiable because we have zero need to eat it. Would it be ok to kill your dog or cat if he/she had a good (and again, very short) life? Of course not. No different for farmed animals.
Funny. I used to not eat meat. Until it nearly killed me to do so. When you have doctors asking if you are starving yourself because the protein in nuts and legumes aren't fueling your body you decide maybe those studies that say humans are omnivorous are correct. For all those people who feel the need to BASH others because they dont like their food choices. Stop and think about what nature does. and what nature would be like if animals were not eaten. Imagine the over population of wild life that would overrun the human population. There is a circle of life for a reason. There are Carnivores for a reason. There are herbivores for a reason. omnivores are lucky and usually get to choose what they eat. I don't see Vegetarians crying over the spider they kill on their wall. Don't expect me to feel wrong about eating meat to survive.
Your comments, particularly the one about an over population of animals, are funny (and ignorant). The only reason there is an over population of animals is because we over breed them for human consumption! BTW, my entirely family is vegan, extremely fit, strong, and healthier than all meat-eating people we know. :)
The only way you would not be getting enough protein is if you weren't eating enough calories every day. Even if you ONLY ate fruits and veggies, you would still be receiving 5% of your daily calories in the form of protein. The challenge is eating enough calories for some people. Fruits and veggies are so low-cal you need to eat a LOT of them to meet your daily needs. I'm vegan and I advocate eating what is natural for us to eat. I watched a lecture/presentation that changed the way I think about things. You can find it on YouTube if you search "Dr. Milton Mills- Are humans designed to eat meat". It explains why we are not in pretty good detail. Leaving the emotions of animal rights out of it, it breaks down WHY we shouldn't be consuming meat, regardless. I'd recommend checking it out. It's about an hour long but very informative.
Veganonomous, we aren't all the same in what we thrive best on, dietarily. Some people really do far better on a bit of meat and fish than other people. Just because your diet works for you doesn't make it the ideal diet for everyone.
Please remember that omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans who oppose the cruelty of factory farms are on the same side. Even if you are a vegetarian you can be participating in these cruel practices (ie eggs, yogurt, ice cream) Try to remember who the real enemy is. Bickering amongst the ranks does not help these poor creatures.
A righteous man considereth the life of his beast. It is incumbent on all of us to treat animals well, especially our farm animals raised for food. Good for them; good for us; many benefits to ourselves, physically and morally, and to them. Those who mistreat animals in the modern industrial agriculture industry are unrighteous and the civil authority should come down on them. The love of money is the root of all such evil.
I grew up on farms and raising cattle, pigs, chickens,etc. This makes me want to be a vegetarian. It is horrible that we can't trust our food sources (that goes for veggies too). Eggs in the grocery store do not taste like eggs from a farm. Chicken from a grocery store does not taste like chickens from a farm, the pork doesn't taste as good and the beef is just sad. We were all members of the FFA and 4H and none of our farms looked like that. I guess that is because none of us were as big as these companies. I never understood animal rights activist who said farming was cruel. We treated our animals well. I guess it is because I didn't grow up on the type of farms that the videos are showing. I think that this is rare, may be not as rare for large corporations, but the average family farm is not like this, or at least not that I have seen. As a member of the FFA and 4H, I say let the activist continue to film and stop offenders.
They are targeting a relatively small producer, it looks like. The big factory farms are even worse. i wonder if the bigger factory farms are the ones who are behind this.
The farm featured in the video raises 1 million chickens every year – not exactly a small operation.
Interesting correlation between abusive treatment of disabled and sick animals and abusive treatment of sick and disabled people. Sick people are abused and "thrown-away" by society too. Look at the current VA scandal for a prime example. This comes from nation suffering from severe "Spiritual sickness." No enlightened Being would ever treat another living creature so evilly. Evil grows in dead Souls! The lights must continue to shine until the darkness fades.
It is a wonder that the GOP has no problem with this tactic when they go after Planned Parenthood or ACORN, but someone uses it against a supplier in our food chain (a business with deep pockets), suddenly the practice needs to be outlawed. Just more hypocrisy.
How about requiring cameras in these type facilities to prove they are following the laws? The corporations only want to hide their wrongdoing from public view.
I have been advocating for this for years. Would be easy to do. Consumers could simply demand this, and lawmakers could then do NOTHING about it. Walmart, Kroger and other food distributors could also just refuse to buy products from producers who don't comply. Hopefully, a movement will now start to force all factory farms to have 24/7 monitoring, along with 24/7 onsite veterinary oversight of all operations. I think Whole Foods should be petitioned to start such a campaign.
I'm an ultra-conservative, and I say keep those video cams rolling. Outlawing them would be an egregious error. And those who take those videos, exposing the B S in the Ag industry are to be commended for their (well-done) jobs, provided they've been completely honest (aka no setups) in their work.
Ag-Gag is tantamount to silencing journalism and reporting... nothing less.
TJ what is an "Ultra Conservative" I'm a liberal. Republicans have probably contaminated what a ultra/conservative is. So to educate me please explain.
I'm in the middle and I agree also.
This is a prime example of why certain businesses have to be regulated. I still don't understand why the republican party does not want any regulation. Any answers?
Speaking for my conservative brethren, I can answer your question; Stupidity. It can be found in ALL political parties, and all walks of life, and pretty much any place a cockroach can go. Just sheer stupidity.
I guess they like when bigot dildopes like "underwater ops" turn comments into partyline politics.
Keep in the mind, republicans are the kings and queens of pro-life. Yet they're willing to let people be fed sick animals that could kill them. Pathetic.
You left wing dildopes are hilarious, if not total imbeciles.
The poster that you replied to gave an example of the irony and hypocrisy. Where is your example to back up your statement?
>> the undercover activist, who did not want to be identified<<
Hmmm . . . wonder why that would be?
To keep mooks like you from bothering them.
Look up many of the internet data bases for identifying these video altering criminals.
Republicans helping corporations cheat the public. Not something you see every day, right?
.
I mean, besides the whole 2008 collapse of the economy that resulted in everyone but the bankers losing money?
.
And of course Republicans seeking to take away the right for common people to sue companies and medical providers, while letting the companies sue the customers and patients?
.
And all those changes to the laws that allow companies to declare bankruptcy, but not common people?
.
Aside from that, it's unusual, right?
.
Okay .... maybe not.
We'll ain't you a proud bigot dildope stereotyper! How dumb can a person be? Let's use you as a prime example.
You are such an idiot. Democrat this, republican that. For F sake, one is just as bad as the other. And anyone that thinks otherwise is an idiot as well.
It’s that kind of footage that North Carolina state Sen. Brent Jackson has proposed outlawing. Animal activists say it’s an effort to lock the barn door and keep the public in the dark.
On the floor of the state Senate, we wanted to ask Jackson about his proposal. It was a short conversation.
“I don’t have anything to say to CNN,” the Republican state lawmaker responded
Note the word REPUBLICAN
I agree. Why does this have to be political? you see the word republican and all of a sudden this is a political issue. It has nothing to do with politics this has to do with right and wrong. and its its wrong and inhumane what these factory farmers do. I can't see how anyone can think this is okay what they are doing, but I guess there is always self absorbed small minded idiotic people out there.
It wouldn't be political if a republican AND democrat were pushing the bill. I'd like to know where the republican gets his money for re-election? The answer will be more political than you think.
This is a prime example of why certain businesses have to be regulated. I still don't understand why the republican party does not want any regulation. Any answers?
Because the boses of these unregulated busineses support republican candidates.
Like R00 said – It happens in ALL parties. And to think anything less one would have to be an idiot. Please... stop with the political bias and partisanship. Haven't we had enough of that already?
Well stated.
Even if an instance of cruelty happens just once. Once is too much. While I am not a vegetarian, I am headed that way. Don't want to show what goes on in the barn? Then you can count on me not to eat what you produce.–I'll also spread the word to my family and friends. I've already stopped eating beef for the most part. Or I can purchase from local small farmers where I have a better idea of how they treat their animals.
Laura I can't go that far because I love my share of provisions. The lawmaker proposing to make undercover videos illegal should be voted out. It's obvious the politician doesn't give a rats azz for the people that voted for them.
Ironically, beef is probably the least abused of the different factory farming segments – chickens, turkeys and pigs are raised under far more cruel and inhumane conditions than cattle. Not saying that the beef industry is blameless. The best approach, if you want to include meat in your diet (which humans have evolved to do) is to buy meat from local suppliers at farmers markets, or from stores that only source from farms that are lower volume, certified humane, and don't use growth hormones and antibiotics – Whole Foods is one such store, but there are others.
The primary argument that somehow our food-source is unsafe for consumption without these videos is completely baseless. The USDA has workers and inspectors visiting and policing the food industry quite heavily. The sole purpose of these films is to creatively edit and embellish the 'abuse' of animals, with the attempt to make it all seem widespread. A fractional percentage of abusers does not constitute an industry. They all get caught eventually without the 'help' of these amature videographer-activists.
Elmer, that is the same old b.s. line used over and over by the Animal Ag Alliance, et al...You just try to convince people what is right before their eyes is "taken out of context." I don't know how to put forklifting a downer cow or slamming pigs into the ground into "context." As to the political snippy comments, the tortured animals don't care if a Republican or a Democrat is abusing them. Any outfit passing un-Constitutional fascist bills down our throats should be unacceptable to ALL Americans. I no longer eat the sh*t they are so "proud" to feed us BECAUSE of these dirty politicians and these shenanigans they pull. I refuse to be involved in consuming tortured and abused animals, so all of the pro ag-gag political criminals can shove their BigAg donors' "product" up their a$$es.
Elmer, the USDA/FSIS only cites about 3 plants a month for abuse. It is a "token" amount out of billions slaughtered per day. The plants get a warning letter is all. They can get caught multiple times in a row and still just get a warning letter. They only actually inspect about 10% of production for food safety. It is a ruse. Rancho just got caught hiding the severed heads from lazy inspectors for a year or more. They were cancerous cattle put into the food supply. Where were those "diligent" inspectors all that time? You are either misinformed or deliberately misinforming.
Solution: Stop buying meat. Go Vegetarian, it's not that bad or unrewarding.
The meat will just be shipped overseas.
An even better solution: buy local. Know where your meat is coming from. Visit the farms to make sure animals live a good life. Nothing against vegetarianism, ( I was one for 6 years) but a lot of vegetarians just contribute to the industrial farming system by buying soy and corn products that were raised in a monculture. This is the flip side of the same system that is advocating for these "ag-gag" laws.
Actually, vegetarian meals don't taste as good as meat-containing meals to many people. It's obviously a matter of personal preference, but if you are honest with yourself, the flavor that meat imparts to a spaghetti sauce, or a stir fry, for example, is richer and more complex than the meatless version. Do what makes sense to you, but there is nothing inherently superior about vegetarianism, despite what vegetarians would like to believe.
What is superior is their ability/willpower to sacrifice what may taste better in order to do what they feel is right.
your an idiot. a small minded idiot .and i hope you choke on your next meaty meal. It's disturbing how anyone can see this and still support the meat industry. Go vegan and have a conscience for living beings other than yourself. You're not superior to these poor helpless animals.
Once again money is buying legislation. It's cheaper to buy congressmen than to treat their animals humanely.
So you can allow sick animals to be fed to the American public and if you expose this you are the criminal. You commit horrible abuse to an animal and if exposed you are the victim. I wonder how much a politician charges to to write laws that protects cruelity and exposes the public to foul meat. I assume not much since a politician's conscious is hardly worth anything, anyway.
The USDA polices this extensively. In fact the entire industry is over-regulated and over-policed.
Obviously not or else you wouldn't need undercover videos!
My more extensive post is indefinitely 'awaiting moderation' by the CNN thought police. It will explain the situation with perfect clarity. Unfortunately CNN is against rational thought that is against their collective worldview. Don't count on ever reading it.
Sounds like the producer gets help from every corner. but doesn't want to be held accountable. Legislation to produce without proper conditions, lower property tax(ag ie schools and local communities suffer and other citizens pay more), USDA handouts in many forms(subsidies if animal dies, lowlow interest loans, money and help with farm improvements)...gee whats not to like
Oh PLEASE Elmer!!! They are NOT over-regulated for one thing. And for another, the FDA and USDA people in charge, are former big-wigs in charge from these very businesses they are supposed to be monitoring!!! How better to promote your own greedy agenda, than by having your own people in the FDA and USDA!?! As well, they are now claiming they NEED to reduce the amount of inspectors and investigations due to costs???!!! NOOOO, if it is a big biz or a politico.....your first knee-jerk, instinct should be that they are lying!! They have $$ to lose, positions of power to lose, which are both their bottom line....at the expense of these poor animals and consumers!!!
Rah Rah CRA!!! Absolutely right on!!! These factory farms are operating unbridled!! They will spend millions of $$ to protect their heinous methods and that includes paying for our government STAFF to assist them!! Time for a good cleansing in government. ALL factory farms MUST BE mandated to have CCTVs installed!! Those viewing must be made available online for the public viewing 24/7. As many others have said, why do they fight that? What do they have to hide?? The TRUTH!! Americans waste as much food as they eat! These factory farms feed all the animals corn because it is cheap, makes the animals fatter quicker, and increases their profit margins! Those profits go to gov that are complicit in these vile business! All animals graze on grass etc.....NOT on corn! These so-called businesses NEED public oversight....so does gov!! They cannot be trusted! God did not create man in His own image. Man created God in their own image for free license to steal, abuse, torture, plunder and murder.
Who in the he(ck)ll would want this ? Without oversight, do you really think they are gonna do the right thing-Even with oversight they don't!!
Who in the he(ck)ll would want this ? Without oversight, do you really think they are gonna do the right thing-Even with oversight they don't!!
If they are trying to get rid of this type of investigation that only tells me that they want to continue to hide their misdeads. The government obviously has their hands in on the profits and if there is a possiblility of loss funds, they're going to do what they can to cover it up. This is why they also lie to everyone about the health "benefits" of animal products. There are none! I agree, it may taste good but in all truth, it isn't good for you. I'm not going to try and convince you otherwise but if you take the time to really look into the health risks of an animal based diet, you would see why many people are starting to turn towards a vegan diet.
You won't try to convince others that meat has not health benefits because you can't. It has tremendous health benefits if it is eaten in moderation along with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. We evolved and thrived as a species because we developed animal ranching techniques to provide meat and milk which helped the human brain increase rapidly in size because of the access to higher quantities of protein. Meat provides concentrated vitamins, minerals and protein in one source that you need to consume a range of plants to provide the equivalent benefit.
The problem is the quantity of meat that most Americans eat today, much of it in heavily processed foods, and the declining real cost of meat enabled by the horrific practices of factory farms. An average person that does not get much exercise does not need to consume a 1/2 pound burger or a 1 lb. steak at a sitting.
I would disagree that having meat in your diet doesn't have any health benefits. It has tremendous health benefits if it is eaten in moderation along with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. We evolved and thrived as a species because we developed animal ranching techniques to provide meat and milk which helped the human brain increase rapidly in size because of the access to higher quantities of protein. Meat provides concentrated vitamins, minerals and protein in one source that you need to consume a range of plants to provide the equivalent benefit.
The problem is the quantity of meat that most Americans eat today, much of it in heavily processed foods, and the declining real cost of meat enabled by the horrific practices of factory farms. An average person that does not get much exercise does not need to consume a 1/2 pound burger or a 1 lb. steak at a sitting.
legislation that would essentially outlaw undercover investigations and the videos they produce
=======================
Hmm Interesting in that Will it also make Undercover officers or investigators doing the same thing illegal?
No, the ag-gag laws are narrowly written to avoid that from happening. They are specifically tailored to hide the wrongdoing and illegal conduct of corporate animal farms.
Can't think of one good reason to ban these videos.
There isn't...unless you are a large sou-less corporation.
Why are comments being deleted ?? Censorship ??
Did you think it would be otherwise?
Big Money = big censorship and division.
Where's my post ?
Just stop eating food.