NY Factory Farm Secrecy Bill Advances.

A bill that would outlaw photography and video of animal abuse on factory farms is one step closer to becoming law.

A 5-to-1 vote has moved the draconian bill out of committee and onto the floor for debate and eventually a vote.The bill, nicknamed the “ag-gag” bill, is similar to the defeated bills in Minnesota and Florida and the pending bill in Iowa.

If passed, unauthorized photography and video of factory farms would be a felony crime with one year prison time. Even if the video or photographs document people or corporations committing illegal acts, the investigator could face jail time.

Groups like the Humane Society of the United States are working overtime to spread the word that ag-gag bills, like the one advancing in New York, are a deliberate attempt to hide animal abuse and inhumane treatment on factory farms. Punishing whistle blowers and using the authority of the State to hide animal cruelty is such an amazingly awful idea that it is hard to imagine it picking up ANY support.

We’re down but not out.  There’s a good chance this thing will be defeated once it hits the floor and is subject to an open debate. 

Stay tuned, this is about to get interesting.