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Animal Law
APHIS Predicts Farm Animals Could Ultimately Be Subject to AWA Regulation
The Animal and Plant Inspection Health Service (APHIS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture sub-agency charged with administering and enforcing the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) , 7 U.S.C. § 2131, et seq. In connection with its “Strategic Plan” for 2023-27, APHIS issued a Strategic Foresight Report that “examines 10 societal, environmental, and technological trends…
Introduction to Human Rights
Introduction
Human rights constitute a set of rules governing the treatment of individuals and groups by governments on the basis of ethical principles. States have incorporated these rules into their national and international laws. The formal expression of inherent human rights is through international human rights law. A series of international treaties and other instruments…
UK Gene Editing Law on Plants and Animals Takes Effect
On March 23, 2023, royal assent was given to a statute passed by the British Parliament entitled the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023. The new law aims to facilitate the utilization of precision breeding, which includes gene editing, by removing precision-bred plants and animals from the regulatory requirements applicable to genetically modified organisms (GMO’s).…
Examination of Witnesses
Examination in chief
This is the questioning of a witness by a party who calls him/her as a witness. It is also known as direct examination. The goal is to present the testimony of the witnesses in an understandable and persuasive manner. This requires a clear, logically organized presentation in which each witness describes the…
Monterey Bay Aquarium in Hot Water Over Alleged Defamatory Statements About Maine Lobster Industry
by Michelle C. Pardo Maine is synonymous with lobster. So states the federal court defamation lawsuit filed this week by a coalition of lobster fishing companies and trade groups against the Monterey Bay Aquarium over its “Seafood Watch” program, which accused Maine fisheries of falsely putting North Atlantic right whales at significant risk of entanglement…
USDA Extends Comment Deadline on Standards for Handling Wild and Exotic Animals
by Michelle C. Pardo The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for submitting comments to an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on standards for handling captive wild and exotic and animals and changes to environmental enrichment requirements for all regulated species. Stakeholders will now have until April 10, 2023 to…
Finally! Animal Welfare Act Bird Regulations Part 2: What Do They Require?
After 20 years, the USDA has finally promulgated its Animal Welfare Act (“AWA”) regulations for birds. The AWA covers the handling, care, treatment, and transportation of covered animals by dealers, research facilities, exhibitors, operators of auction sales, and carriers and intermediate handlers. While birds not bred for use in research have been part of the…
Finally! Animal Welfare Act Bird Regulations Part 1: Who is Covered?
After 20 years, the USDA has finally promulgated its Animal Welfare Act (“AWA”) regulations for birds. The AWA covers the handling, care, treatment, and transportation of covered animals by those engaged in certain activities. While birds not bred for use in research have been part of the AWA definition of “animal” and thus covered by…
PETA Open Records Case Takes an Interesting Turn
On February 17, 2023, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed a preliminary injunction that had restrained the University of Washington from releasing records containing personal identifying information of current and former members of the University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The records request had been submitted…