***VT - ACTION ALERT***

Ask Your State Senator to Support S295 

CONTACT YOUR VERMONT SENATOR AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT S.295! This bill (formerly H.767) is the result of the hard work performed by the house and senate agriculture committees that improved the language in the amendments that were attached to H.767 by the senate. In H.767, slaughter facilities who are under violation could be required to install video cameras with the recorded files to be stored for 90 days and retrievable by the secretary of agriculture and risk permanent revokecation of operating licenses.

S.295 has language that reasonably addresses the slaughterhouse issue, and establishes both an Agricultural Development Board and a Livestock Care Advisory Council. S.295 has lowered fines to $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 for first, second, and third offenses, says the secretary of agriculture MAY require the installation of video cameras (not shall) and spells out more clearly what offenses are administrative and what are considered punitive.

To find the senator in your district go to www.leg.state.vt.us/lms/legdir/districts.asp?Body=S

The bill has passed the house 128 - 0 and will most likely come up for a  senate vote on Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Action alert courtesy of Rural Vermont. For more information, contact them at http://www.ruralvermont.org/