Page 1 of 330 The Monthly National Legislation Report 7/5/2010 ...

The Monthly National Legislation Reporthttp://mnlreport.typepad.com/Page 168 of 3307/5/2010If you think Washington thinks for your industry, think again. Bring he who has risk inthe industry to speak for you; lawmakers will listen.Nils Beaumond, director of international relations, Interbev: The animal welfaremovement in the European Union is extremely strong, thanks to non-governmentalorganizations (NGOs). On the issue of transport, there have been directives regardingintervals for watering, feeding, density limits, lateral doors on trucks to accessanimals directly and restrictions on environmental parameters during transport (howhot or cold it can be). A new draft proposal reflects rising surveillance pressure,including a requirement for live positioning.Ed Pajor, associate professor, Purdue University : The 13 largest European retailersplan to increase regulations on animal welfare. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the privatesector is taking the lead, with guidelines driven by retailers/producers. The plethoraof programs is now becoming a problem, causing confusion.Kay Johnson Smith, executive vice president of the Animal Agriculture Alliance:Regulation will be the next step if producers don’t follow guidelines on their ownfarms. Don’t tell consumers what you want them to know – tell them about what theyare concerned about. Don’t do away with the discussion; take it over. Americans won’tput up with anything that seems anti-animal or anti-environment.Mitch Head, managing director, Golin Harris: There have been more state ballotinitiatives in this decade than in any other. The ballot initiative process has populistbeginnings, and the states that allow them are mostly in the West. Their attractions:They’re cheap to get on a ballot. You get to write the ballot language. They’resometimes called Superman laws because once passed by voters, they cannot betrumped by the state legislature. Courts are reluctant to intercede. Even if they lose,they get statewide attention. If agriculture allows animal rights groups to start stateinitiative process, they’ll end up playing defense. The Internet may have an effect;activists have learned to use the Internet better than industry has.Mike Opperman, public relations director, Charleston/Orwig: Modern agriculture isharder for consumers to understand and relate to. The industry tends to respond toemotional issues with science, but needs to speak to consumers’ hearts and heads.Source: Suzanne Bopphttp://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=334003******************************************************************************************************You simply have to read this to appreciate it ! The response was brilliant !AN OLDIE, BUT ALWAYS A GOODIE - REVIVED BY DEAN AYERS !State Agency Complains Dam Beavers Unauthorized by Government on Private PropertyState Government Agency Files Complaint Against Property Owner for Unauthorized Dam Built By Wild BeaversSUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County, PennsylvaniaDear Mr. DeVries:It has come to the attention of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel ofproperty. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond.