On February 3, 2017 the #USDA shut down an
online database that included inspection reports of the thousands of licensed
facilities that are required by law to comply with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
and Horse Protection Act (HPA). Just a few of the many groups that are
regulated by the AWA are commercial dog breeding facilities (a.k.a. puppy
mills), animal research labs and roadside zoos. This is of great concern
because the information included in USDA inspection reports is vital to the
work of animal protection groups and is key to highlighting the worst offenders
and those that are repeatedly in violation of the law.
While the information in the inspection
reports will still be available to the public, it now must be obtained by way
of written request to the USDA through the Freedom of Information Act. The
processing of these requests typically takes months, and sometimes years, making
it impossible to act on the information in a timely manner.
The actions of the USDA over the years show
it to be an agency that is cozy with “Big Ag”—the very businesses it is tasked
with regulating—and demonstrates little real commitment to holding violators
accountable. Sadly, the requirements set forth in the Animal Welfare Act are
minimal standards for survival, not standards for humane care. There is a
shortage of USDA inspectors and they often overlook violations rather than
report them. Even when reported, sanctions tend to be minimal and very few of
even the worst puppy mills or those that are habitual violators are shut down.
Our government is supposed to be transparent
but this action thwarts transparency—and therefore accountability— by making
this public information so difficult to access. The only beneficiaries of the
withholding of these reports are those who have poor animal welfare records and
don’t want the public or animal advocacy groups shining a light on their
substandard practices; those in compliance know that a clean record is good for
their business. In essence, making inspection reports inaccessible hurts those
who obey the law and rewards those who don’t. Where is the logic in that?
I do not believe it is a coincidence that
this information was purged merely two weeks after Donald Trump took office. Tom
Vilsack, who served as the secretary of agriculture in the Obama administration,
states that he did not authorize the removal of this online database. The post of
secretary currently remains unfilled as Trump’s pick of Sonny Perdue is
awaiting confirmation. The selection of Perdue should be of grave concern to
all who care about the humane treatment of animals as his background shows strong
ties to agribusiness, which includes receiving donations of $328,328 from
agribusiness interests over the course of his political career. I see this as a
clear case of the fox guarding the henhouse.
It is telling that the individual Trump chose
to lead the transition team at the USDA is Brian Klippenstein, director of
Protect the Harvest. According to the HSUS, Klippenstein
has “campaigned against bills, ballot measures, and rules to crack down on
puppy mills, horse soring operations, extreme farm animal confinement
practices, horse slaughter, and much more.” President
Trump’s selection of individuals with track records of protecting those who
make money off animals without any concern for the treatment of the animals
involved does not bode well for the advancement of animal-friendly legislation.
As a passionate and committed advocate for
the humane treatment of animals, I join the other individuals and animal
advocacy organizations that are determined to work even harder to create
positive change in animal welfare in our country and throughout the world. I have
started by making a list of my federal and state legislators along with their
phone numbers so it is easy to call regularly and encourage them to support
animal-friendly legislation. This is something we can all do that will make a
big difference in the treatment of animals. Our legislators need our votes to
get reelected; let’s make sure they hear our voices! #USDA #animalwelfareact #puppymills #horsesoring #tenneseewalkinghorse #animalabuse #hsus #aspca #animaladvocacy #horseprotectionact
