News went viral Monday when independent journalist Will Potter reported the first prosecution under Utah's anti-whistleblower Ag Gag law (enacted in March 2012) – designed to silence undercover investigations of wrongdoing in animal agriculture. However, the story became so "high-profile" that the charges were dropped Tuesday amidst media pressure and lacking evidence.

From the roadside, Utah resident Amy Meyer reportedly used her cell phone to film a live cow being carried away in a tractor at the Dale Smith Meatpacking Company. Management told the police that she was trespassing but an officer stated he didn't notice evidence of her crossing into private property. Meyer later discovered she'd become the first person in the country prosecuted under one of these laws, facing a class B misdemeanor (which carries up to six months in jail).

On April 15 and 16, FIC attended the 36th annual National Food Policy Conference in Washington, DC, where consumer groups, government officials, and food industry representatives gathered to discuss key issues facing the food industry and consumers.

This year’s dialogue shifted toward a discussion on Ag Gag bills when conference-goers took time to consider present food safety and animal welfare concerns in industrial agriculture. The laws were debated in a panel discussion concerning the changing standards for humane handling, where experts discussed consumer expectations for the treatment of animals in the food supply.

Further conversation surrounding Ag Gag took place in a panel about the important role that social media plays in informing the public about food production.

“The goal is to create a discussion, not to end it,” said Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University and food safety blogger Dr. Ben Chapman. Instead of blocking consumers from information about food production, he emphasized the importance of empowering consumers by giving them access to accurate data which, in turn, allows for more informed purchasing decisions.

Do you want to eat in the dark?

Today FIC released the fifth video in its campaign series, "Ag Gag Undercover," which aims to raise awareness about the controversial 'Ag Gag' bills that would silence whistleblowers shining a light on wrongdoing in animal agriculture.

Learn more about Ag Gag bills at foodwhistleblower.org/AgGag.

Today FIC released the 4th video in its campaign series, "Ag Gag Undercover," which aims to raise awareness about the controversial anti-whistleblower 'Ag Gag' bills. The proposed legislation would criminalize individuals who take undercover videos or photographs to expose wrongdoing at factory farms.

Watch the video below, which tries to make light of this very serious affront on transparency.

Learn more about Ag Gag bills at foodwhistleblower.org/AgGag.

Today FIC released the third installment in our Ag Gag Undercover video campaign series, which aims to raise awareness about the controversial anti-whistleblower legislation. Please watch and share with your friends, family and colleagues!

Learn more about Ag Gag bills at foodwhistleblower.org/AgGag.

Please join FIC and others next Wednesday, March 27 in Washington D.C. for a panel discussion on Ag Gag bills and their implications. Types of organizations represented on the panel include government watchdog groups, journalists, animal welfare groups, and free speech groups.

Behind Closed Doors: 'Ag Gag' Bills, Farm Animals, Food Safety and the First Amendment

Wednesday, March 27, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Georgetown University Law Center, McDonough Hall Room 201
600 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington D.C.

Please RSVP on Facebook!

Panelists:

• Amanda Hitt, GAP Food Integrity Campaign Director
• Suzanne McMillan, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Director of Farm Animal Welfare
• Gabe Rottman, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Legislative Counsel and Policy Advisor for the Washington Legislative Office
• Erica Meier, Compassion Over Killing (COK), Executive Director
• Will Potter, Independent Journalist and Author of Green Is The New Red

A reception with catering from Everlasting Life will follow the panel.

Sarah Damian is New Media Associate for the Government Accountability Project, the nation's leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization.

Today FIC released the second video in our new campaign series, "Ag Gag Undercover." You can view the first video here.

Many states have introduced anti-whistleblower legislation, known as Ag Gag bills, that would criminalize individuals who take undercover video or photographs at agricultural facilities. FIC's short videos aim to raise awareness of these controversial bills and get at the heart of why they are problematic and an affront on truth-telling.

Learn more about Ag Gag bills at foodwhistleblower.org/AgGag.