“Ag-Gag” bills getting hearings today in Nebraska, Arkansas and Tennessee

Nebraska, Arkansas, and Tennessee today are holding legislative hearings on bills that supporters say protect farms and opponents say prevent people from being effective whistleblowers when collecting evidence of animal abuse. Abuse is a food safety concern because studies have shown that animals that are stressed or treated cruelly are more likely to be susceptible to disease and pathogens. Hearings usually mean a committee is getting serious about making a "do pass" recommendation to the full body. Sometimes, however, it means only that a courtesy is being extended to sponsors or leadership is trying to determine if there are enough votes to advance the measure.  Read More