Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2014/06/25/undercover-animal-abuse-videos/?hpt=hp_t5

In the past two years, three states have passed so-called “ag-gag” laws while 14 others have considered similar legislation, according to The Humane Society of the United States.

So....thoughts?

Is it "right" for companies to be protected from naer-do-well activists that pose as employees for no other reason than to videotape animal cruelty?

Or is it "right" to allow do-gooder activists the freedom to expose horrible and corrupt institutions?

And for the record, the article is correct when it says that activist video prompted the largest recall of beef in US history:

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/03/iowa-approves-nations-first-ag-gag-law/#.U7BHRvldXas

I am of the opinion that if you (a company) don't want people to find out that you're doing "bad" things.....don't do bad things...plain and simple.

It has, unfortunately, come down to "mercenary" tactics by the activists to expose these organizations because the government is unable to police all the manufactures across the country. There are only so many inspectors....and unfortunately, there are far too many ag lobbyists that prevent effective enforcement when things are discovered (unless they're brought to public attention first).

The American government passing anti-whistle blower laws? Quick! Someone memo Edward Snowden!

I am of the opinion that if you (a company) don't want people to find out that you're doing "bad" things.....don't do bad things...plain and simple.

As I understand it, not cutting corners costs money, so obviously if they don't cut corners their business will collapse. Do you want food producers to go out of business /sarcasm

Lots these videos of supposed Abuse are either staged or simple ignorance of a normal practice which is not abusive at all. It just looks that way to someone who knows nothing about the animals.

And often the same video gets used over and over again even if the actual problem has long since been taken care of.

The people who take these videos haven't got a shred of decency or integrity, we should ignore them for the most part.


The videos are also taken of isolated incidents. Not common practice.

Animals which are abused are NOT profitable. It is not in any company's interest to abuse animals. They will cease to produce or will produce poor quality product.