Page 35 - MFB State Annual Meeting 2018 -- RESOLUTIONS BOOK

Policy Discussion Schedule
Wednesday Delegate Session
#3 ANIMAL CARE
1 Livestock production and the way farm animals are
2 raised have changed significantly. No one has greater
3 concern for the care and welfare of farm animals than
4 the farmers who raise them.
5 We urge Farm Bureau members to respond
6 knowledgeably to misleading information on animal
7 care. We urge members to understand the difference
8 between organizations that support sound science and
9 animal care versus those that are promoting animal
10 rights and attempting to eliminate or greatly restrict
11 livestock production in the United States. Members
12 should continue to tell the success story of modern
13 animal agriculture wherever the opportunity is found. A
14 number of laws now exist for safeguarding the proper
15 care of livestock and, if properly enforced, will provide
16 the necessary protection livestock need.
17 The livestock and dairy industry in Michigan is an
18 integral part of our agricultural economy and needs
19 access to private property rights and privacy laws. Laws
20 appearing to limit free speech or give the perception that
21 agriculture has something to hide may not be the
22 appropriate way to deal with certain issues impacting the
23 industry. We strongly support transparency by all people
24 involved.
25 We believe persons who witness animal care
26 practices that are not in compliance with the Animal
27 Care of Farm Animals Generally Accepted Agricultural
28 Management Practices (GAAMPs) and are believed to
29 be animal cruelty, should report those findings in a
30 timely manner to the appropriate authorities so proper
31 action may be taken. Those persons who do not report
32 such abuses or hold and release videos in a manner
33 that is done for personal benefit or simply to promote a
34 group and their cause should be swiftly prosecuted and
35 appropriately fined and sentenced.
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We support:
A board of animal health and welfare be convened
to coordinate activities that enhance and protect the state's livestock industry. The board should consist of farmers and industry representatives as voting members; who are nominated by officially recognized livestock and agriculture industry commodity groups; and then appointed by the Governor. Agency and university officials should serve in an advisory capacity. The establishment of
Page 6 – Wednesday Delegate Session