Animal Law News

Environmental, social, and governance disclosure
Environmental, social, and governance disclosure can promote transition to a sustainable economy by paving the way for better business operations. In recent years, sustainability has received considerable attention in every area of the economy. Comprehensive disclosure relating to sustainability by companies indicates better business behaviour, which enhances the transition to a sustainable economy. Past financial reporting was insufficient to account for appraisals of the impact of environmental, social, and governance factors. A recent publication has presented a conceptual analysis...more >>

The May 2013 issue of the National Link Coalition's Link-letter

The May 2013 issue of the National Link Coalition's Link-letter focuses on the social work and the animal abuse/human violence link.

Topics in the May issue include:

  • how to add human-animal relationships to social work education and practice;
  • how to build greater collaboration between social workers and animal welfare professionals;
  • including pets in domestic violence protection orders; and
  • at least a dozen other articles relevant to the issue of domestic violence and animal abuse relevant to social workers.

...more >>

Is Pet Ownership Sustainable?

There has been much talk about sustainability, but little attention has been paid to its nutritional aspects. University of Illinois animal sciences researcher Kelly Swanson, in cooperation with scientists at natural pet food maker The Nutro Company, have raised a number of important questions on the sustainability of pet ownership.

Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the present while not compromising the future. Swanson said that although the carbon footprint aspect of sustainability receives the most attention, nutritional aspects are also important. "If you...more >>

Safer food for EU citizens: new Commission’s proposal

The European Commission has adopted a package of measures to strengthen the enforcement of health and safety standards for the whole agro-food chain. Food safety is essential to ensure consumers' confidence and sustainability of food production.

The package of measures provide a modernised and simplified approach to the protection of health and more efficient control tools to ensure the effective application of the rules guiding the operation of the food chain.

The package responds to the call for better simplification of legislation and smarter regulation thus reducing...more >>

Animal welfare amendments (New Zealand)

New Zealand's Minister for Primary Industries has introduced a Bill to Parliament today to update and strengthen animal welfare in New Zealand.

The Bill will allow enforcement to create enforceable regulations that set out how farm and domestic animals should be treated. It also gives wider powers to deal with people who breach welfare laws.

The Minister said "It matters how we treat animals, both to ourselves and for our international trading reputation. This Bill will make that reputation even stronger. This is important to New Zealanders because around 68% of...more >>

The Olympics, the English Queen, and Government Collaboration ... (New Zealand)

James Bond picking up "the Queen" from Buckingham Palace during the opening ceremony of the Olympics signaled that something "different" was afoot, and everybody (including the Queen) had to do things just a bit differently to achieve success.

This event was used as an analogy for New Zealand agriculture to collaborate in doing things differently to achieve success:"The long term economic future of New Zealand requires the Government, commercial organisations and producers to come together to develop and implement a collective vision and strategy for the...more >>

Climate Change Education (Free Resource)

The global scientific community agrees that global climate change is occurring and that human activity is the dominant factor. A wealth of information has been accumulated about the potential catastrophic impacts of climate change if we continue our current course of action. Yet, many people still do not believe climate change is an important environmental issue and doubt their ability to make a difference even if the situation were serious....more >>

Animal health scanning network (Australia)

The Australian Animal Health scanning network provides a web-based strategic thinking system designed to anticipate and better prepare for emerging global opportunities and risks, develop new visions, cultures, processes and measures of success fit for the 21st century.

It is anticipated that earlier warning of change will enable better informed investment and decision-making, enterprise-wide innovation and in-time threat management leading to significant competitive advantage.
 
Read more at ...more >>

Livestock's long shadow (Sweden)

How do Swedish animal husbandry specialists perceive and respond to the ongoing debate initiated by the ‘Livestock‘s long shadow’ report which pointed out the risks with global livestock production? And what do the specialists think about different attempts to reduce the risks, and the nature of the reactions of farmers and general citizens to the report. 

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A Tiger, a Truck Stop and a Pitched Legal Battle (Louisiana, USA)

A 550-pound Bengal-Siberian tiger  appears unmoved by his role at the center of a costly and complicated legal dispute, pitting claims of property rights against animal rights and prompting regular news reports about his impending removal. 

Tony, who is 12 years old, spends his days draped languidly on top of his cinder-block den or pacing around the grass in his 40-foot-by-80-foot caged enclosure on one side of the parking lot, seemingly as unriveted by the truckers as they are by him.

In 2006, the state passed a law that put limits on “big...more >>