Search Articles

Filter articles

Filter articles
Publication Date
Showing 61-70 of 383

Italy Bans Cultivated Meat Production and Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products

The Italian Chamber of Deputies has passed a law prohibiting the production and marketing of cultivated meat and restricting meat-related names for plant-based products, such as “salami” or “steak.” The legislation aims to protect Italy's agricultural history and culinary culture, but critics argue it hinders innovation and sustainable development. Fines ranging from €10,000 to €60,000 are introduced for violations. The move has sparked concerns about reduced investment, pushing researchers abroad, and hindering the fight against climate change. The law also impacts plant-based companies in Italy, a significant market for such products. The bill is expected to face European Union scrutiny.

Florida Introduces Bill to Ban Cultivated Meat Production

Florida State Representative Tyler Sirois has introduced House Bill 435, aiming to prohibit the manufacturing, sale, holding, or distribution of cultivated meat in the state. The bill defines cultivated meat as “any meat or food product produced from cultured animal cells.” Violators could face second-degree misdemeanor charges and fines up to $1,000. While no companies currently sell cultivated meat in the United States, the bill raises concerns about potential regulatory obstacles for emerging technologies in the alternative protein sector. The United States Department of Agriculture released a grant of inspection to Upside Foods and GOOD Meat, the cultivated meat division of Eat Just Inc., in June 2023.

British Columbia Government Releases Draft Framework on Biodiversity

The government of British Columbia has released a draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework, outlining a shared vision for preserving ecosystem health and biodiversity. The Framework will shape future legislation, policies, and actions, emphasizing collaboration with First Nations and the broader public. As the province currently lacks comprehensive legislation for the protection of endangered species, the Wilderness Committee, a local environmental education organization, has raised concerns about the absence of a clear commitment to developing an overarching law to protect species and their habitats. The draft Framework is currently open for public comment.

Calls for Urgent Action as Bear Dens Face Destruction in British Columbia

Advocates and First Nations are calling for legislative amendments to protect bear dens across British Columbia, to create an ethical code of conduct, and to enforce a pause on Site C Dam flooding to prevent harm to hibernating bears. The flood zone, set for rapid submersion at two point five meters per day, holds twenty-four known active bear dens, with potentially more unknown to the government. According to copies of Fish and Wildlife applications retrieved by Wilderness Committee and Awi'nakola Foundation, BC Timber Sales is tranquilizing and relocating hibernating bears to artificial dens, while destroying additional sites to bar winter den access. Wilderness Committee and Awi'nakola Foundation are calling on the provincial government to prioritize animal welfare, imploring a pause in Site C flooding to prevent bears from drowning during their winter hibernation.

Senate Rejects Amendment to Federal Farm Carbon Tax Exemption Bill

The majority of Canadian senators voted to reject an amendment to Bill C-234, a private member’s bill tabled by Conservative Member of Parliament Ben Lobb. The bill aims to expand the carbon tax exemption for farming fuels under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry had previously modified the bill, excluding the heating and cooling of barns and greenhouses from the exemption. However, the Committee’s amendment was thwarted as forty-two senators voted against it, allowing the unaltered bill to advance for third reading and Royal Assent. Several agricultural organizations, including SaskPork, SaskCanola, and SaskWheat, had lobbied senators to oppose the amendment and uphold the original version of Bill C-234 claiming it would unfairly exclude tens of thousands of ranchers, farmers and growers.

British Columbia City Implements Wildlife Attractant Bylaw to Protect Black Bears

The City of Rossland, British Columbia, implemented a Wildlife Attractant bylaw to curb the unnecessary killing of black bears in the community in early October. Adopted by Rossland Council, the bylaw introduces measures to mitigate bear attractants such as making bird feeders seasonal, mandating the removal of fallen fruit, and specifying pickup times for refuse containers. These regulations aim to address the issue of bear-human conflicts and promote coexistence in the small community located southeast of Kelowna. Unfortunately, the bylaw has not prevented five bear deaths in October related to attractant and feeding issues.

Manitoba Municipality Encourages Responsible Pet Ownership with Updated Animal Control By-Law

Council for the Municipality of Rhineland, Manitoba, updated its animal control by-law to promote responsible pet ownership, especially concerning dogs. The changes make pet licensing free if the animal is up-to-date on vaccinations. This is meant to ensure quick identification and retrieval if a pet is lost. The updated by-law also outlines procedures for dealing with dangerous dogs, emphasizing responsible ownership regardless of breed.

Third Reading Debates Begin on Federal Ag-Gag Bill in House of Commons

The House of Commons has begun third reading debates on Bill C-275, sponsored by Conservative Member of Parliament and Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee Member John Barlow. The bill seeks to punish any person unlawfully on property where animals are kept if they know or are reckless as to whether doing so could result in exposing the animals to a disease or toxic substance. Despite efforts to amend the bill to protect whistleblowers, it was recently passed by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food without significant changes. During the debate, Member of Parliament Alistair MacGregor expressed his opposition, arguing that the bill's focus on individuals “without lawful authority or excuse” turns it into a trespass law which falls within provincial jurisdiction. MacGregor emphasized the need for biosecurity measures to apply universally, referencing a 2021 Animal Justice report detailing numerous biosecurity failures caused by authorized personnel on farms. He urged the reconsideration of the bill's approach, stating, “If members of this House feel that trespass laws are not adequate, then it is the provincial legislatures of Canada that need to take that issue up on behalf of their constituents.”

Animal Justice Challenges Ontario’s Ag-Gag Law in Landmark Court Case

National animal law organization Animal Justice appeared in the Superior Court of Justice from October 30th to November 1st to challenge Ontario's agricultural gag law, the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020. The Act prevents animal advocates from investigating animal cruelty at farms and slaughterhouses. Animal Justice, alongside journalist Jessica Scott-Reid and animal advocate Louise Jorgensen of Toronto Cow Save, argued that the law infringes upon the right to free expression and peaceful assembly, aims to conceal widespread animal abuse, and hinders consumers' knowledge about the origins of their food. Comparable ag-gag laws in the United States have previously been deemed unconstitutional in many states. This is the first legal challenge to a Canadian ag-gag law. On the first day of the hearing, over 100 animal rights advocates gathered outside the courthouse to voice support for the lawsuit.

NDP MPP Introduces Legislation for Bird-Safe Buildings in Ontario

New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Chris Glover introduced a new bill aimed at safeguarding migratory birds. Bill 145, the Bird-Safe Windows Act, 2023, would amend the Building Code Act, 1992 to ensure Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code) includes the Canadian Standards Association Bird-Friendly Building Design Standard. Glover's initiative aims to mandate bird-safe windows in all new constructions and major renovations. The move comes in response to the Ford government's inaction in the face of an estimated two million bird deaths from window collisions in Ontario since the fall of 2021.