To: The Pennsylvania State House and The Pennsylvania State Senate
Tell Pennsylvania’s Legislators: Don’t Criminalize Whistle Blowers
Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania
The recently introduced "ag-gag" legislation (HB 683) would criminalize whistle-blowing on cruel, illegal, and unethical agricultural practices.
This bill would limit the ability of Pennsylvanians to hold the agriculture industry accountable for illegal practices. The vast majority of Pennsylvania farmers who comply with food safety and animal welfare regulations aren't afraid of citizen oversight.
That's why we are asking you to vote NO on HB 683.
This bill would limit the ability of Pennsylvanians to hold the agriculture industry accountable for illegal practices. The vast majority of Pennsylvania farmers who comply with food safety and animal welfare regulations aren't afraid of citizen oversight.
That's why we are asking you to vote NO on HB 683.
Why is this important?
Earlier this year activists videotaped instances of terrible animal cruelty at a Pennsylvania farm. Instead of holding wrongdoers accountable, some legislators have reacted with a bill to outlaw filming at farms.
If laws are being broken and whistle-blowers are uncovering that fact, criminalizing them isn't the answer.
HB 683, introduced by Representative Haluska and supported by Senator Brubaker would criminalize taking pictures or videos of animal abuse or food safety issues in order to expose illegal and unethical activity. In addition to shielding the agriculture industry from unwanted scrutiny and accountability, the bill also has the potential to shield fracking companies from oversight when drilling on farmland.
Pennsylvanians deserve the right to know where their food comes from and what dangerous chemicals might be nearby. Help us tell Pennsylvania’s Legislators that we won’t stand for Ag-Gag legislation in our state!
If laws are being broken and whistle-blowers are uncovering that fact, criminalizing them isn't the answer.
HB 683, introduced by Representative Haluska and supported by Senator Brubaker would criminalize taking pictures or videos of animal abuse or food safety issues in order to expose illegal and unethical activity. In addition to shielding the agriculture industry from unwanted scrutiny and accountability, the bill also has the potential to shield fracking companies from oversight when drilling on farmland.
Pennsylvanians deserve the right to know where their food comes from and what dangerous chemicals might be nearby. Help us tell Pennsylvania’s Legislators that we won’t stand for Ag-Gag legislation in our state!