No cameras, no abuse, right?
I am a hunter. I am not a vegan. But at the same time, I believe that farmers and consumers alike should care about and seek to improve the conditions of livestock. Recent bills being proposed in Florida and Iowa would make it illegal for someone to take pictures or video of farm activities or livestock without the expressed written consent of the farm owner. I have two different takes on this type of legislation. First, I can sympathize with the farm owners, because I wouldn’t want someone secretly videotaping me as I conduct activities on my own property. However, I do feel that the video and camera footage acquired from these so called animal rights activists has helped to bring to attention the level of cruelty that does occur on U.S. farms. Therefore, disallowing this type of footage would allow those farmers that do take part in varying levels of animal cruelty to continue such atrocious acts. 
We have to remember that the food we eat is derived from these farm animals, and allowing cruelty to continue not only breeches the ethical barrier (for most), but also poses health risks by allowing sick, mistreated, and disease ridden farm animals to be led to slaughter for our consumption. I realize farmers have to make money, but I do not think that money should mean a cruel life for animals with already short lifespans. I do believe that we cannot place all of the blame on the farmers, though. We as Americans consume far too much, and we should strive to buy locally grown plants and animals. Giving in to fast food and other restaurant chains simply feeds the cruelty fire by raising the demand for these large corporation farms, thus forcing them to take shortcuts in the care and raising of the animals. If the proposed bills in Iowa and Florida do pass, those living in those states will have to just get out and see for themselves the conditions the farm animals live so that the bills do not serve as a free ticket for the farmers to commit further cruel acts. Finally, some will say that animal rights activists are simply trying to further their socialist agendas, but in closing I will say that I can appreciate their efforts in part simply for the awakening movies like Food Inc. have given me in regards to the conditions of farm animals in our nation.
