Animals top list of Farm Bureau priorities

The Culpeper County Farm Bureau set its resolutions at the annual meeting this month to oppose any pro-animal rights legislation.

It's not that they don't care about their animals, but that too many restrictions might have far-reaching effects that could negatively impact the agricultural industry.

Julie Williamson, vice-president of the bureau's board of directors, said the resolutions now go to the Virginia Farm Bureau for consideration at the state's annual meeting Oct. 30 in Charlottesville.

Each county can submit resolutions and, once approved by the state bureau, they will be included in policies for legislative aides.

"The reason these resolution meetings are so important is if something comes up in General Assembly that is not in the policy book, our aides can't act on it," Williamson said. "They can only act on behalf of the membership."

Culpeper's Farm Bureau recently adopted four new resolutions:
"We support increased funding and emphasis on training and certification for Animal Control Officers through the Office of the State Veterinarian in the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services."

In Culpeper, none of the animal control officers has experience with horses, Williamson said. She and her husband, Bob, have been called many times, for example, to help catch horses galloping on U.S. 29 in the middle of a snowstorm.

Williamson said it's important the state fund training for local officers in rural areas who might often have to deal with horses or cows on area roadways.

"We oppose restrictions preventing the tethering of all animals in Virginia."

The resolution pertains to a bill supported by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals that would prohibit tethering animals less than six months old.

While the intention was to keep puppies out of bad weather, Williamson said it had far-reaching effects on farmers - especially as it relates to show animals.

Show animals are halter-broken and taught to lead in a ring at a young age.

"We support the continued use of livestock, as defined by the Code of Virginia, to be utilized for food and fiber production."

Many animal rights groups introduce bills to keep animals from being used for human consumption, he said.

Last year, for example, the United States slaughtered 100,000 horses, Williamson said. While horses are generally considered pets in the U.S., they are seen as a food source in other countries.

There are three horse slaughter facilities in America, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. However, due to new legislation, the USDA has stopped authorizing inspections at such facilities, which eliminates the possibility of horse slaughter and shipment, Williamson said.

Williamson does not support such practices, but maintains that legislation pertaining to other livestock would harm the agriculture industry.

"The goal to animal rights is no livestock slaughtered or eaten," she said. "I'm not trying to turn this into a pro or con animal rights movement but they are coming here and trying to disrupt what we do. There needs to be a balance."

"We oppose the banning of agriculture practices and agriculture industries regardless if they currently are in Virginia or not."

In Arizona, legislation was adopted that bans farmers from using small stalls for sows that give ample room for the piglets but not much for the sow. While that is an accepted practice to keep sows from rolling over their babies, Williamson said, only one farm in the state used the stalls.

"It was not a problem but the animal rights folks went in and picked a state where there was not a lot of opposition and now it is on their books," Williamson said. "We don't need laws that say we can't do something that we already don't do."

Liz Mitchell can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or