FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Tricia Ritterbusch, Farm Sanctuary, 607-583-2225 ext. 233, tritterbusch@farmsanctuary.org
Congress to Receive Animal Welfare and Environmental Recommendations
in Landmark Farm Bill White Paper that Challenges Cruelty, Waste and
Corruption
Groups Collaborate to Promote Sustainable Alternatives to Abuse and Irresponsible
Agricultural Practices
Watkins Glen, NY and New York, NY – June 27, 2007– For the first time in history, the
concerns of animal advocates will be brought to light in explicit detail, as part of a white paper
urging major revisions to the 2007 Farm Bill.
Co-published by Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, and
Brighter Green, an environmental policy “think tank” organization focusing on equity, sustainability
and rights, the white paper provides a comprehensive set of proposals for the federal government
and Congress concerning industrial agriculture and food production. It tackles provisions in the
Farm Bill that violate the Constitution, put communities at risk, and turn a blind eye to ethical,
economic and environmental realities.
Farm Sanctuary President, Gene Baur, said the Farm Bill white paper illustrates the beginning of
a broad coming together for environmental, animal rights and human rights organizations, all
stakeholders in creating a sustainable, compassionate and economically viable future.
“This is a galvanizing time for individuals and organizations that care about the parallel issues of
human rights, environmental stewardship, consumer choice, and animal protection,” Baur said.
“We offer a new vision for our nation that rejects gratuitous cruelty, environmental degradation,
destruction of rural communities and the human health risks that come with industrialized animal
production. Our white paper brings much needed sanity to agricultural policy in the U.S., by
proposing reforms that encourage compassionate, healthy, sustainable practices – while current
policy promotes just the opposite.”
A big-picture approach with many practical details on reforming current farming practices, the
paper addresses the multiplicity of interconnected issues, including poverty, human health and
good nutrition, organic agriculture, animal well being, trade, corporate accountability, and
environmental stewardship.
“With this paper, Farm Sanctuary and Brighter Green illustrate how crucial the Farm Bill is to the
way we live,” said Brighter Green Executive Director, Mia MacDonald. “Current farm policy is
seriously out of step with economic, political and environmental reality. It ensures a steady supply
of unhealthy food heavily subsidized by tax payers and derived from environmentally destructive
farming practices. Revised, the Farm Bill could help promote healthy, humane eating for all
Americans. It could also ensure healthy communities, conservation of habitat and wildlife, and
animal welfare. These goals are within reach. Together, we can help our government get its
priorities and polices right.”
Baur added, “Members of Congress will no longer get away with ignoring the concerns and needs
of communities and citizens for the sake of corporate factory farming’s short-term profits. This
most costly and egregious case of corporate welfare is in its final throes, and individuals stuck on
the status quo better start thinking about other options, because Americans won’t be cheated
much longer.”
About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in
1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal"
industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness
projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in
Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif. provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who
have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities
of factory farming. Additional information can be found at http://www.farmsanctuary.org or by
calling 607-583-2225.
About Brighter Green
Action tank Brighter Green aims to advance public policy on the environment, animals, equity,
and rights to ensure a future for all Earth's inhabitants. On its own and in partnership with other
organizations and individuals, Brighter Green generates and incubates research and project
initiatives that are both visionary and practical. It produces publications, websites, documentary
films, and programs to influence or channel public debate among policy-makers, activists,
communities, influential leaders, and the media, with the goal of social transformation at local and
international levels. www.brightergreen.org