This weekend I discovered that the National Agriculture Law Center has a helpful state-by-state analysis of animal cruelty laws in the United States. Even though there are several federal statutes that regulate this issue, animal cruelty statutes vary significantly from state-to-state. It is interesting to pull up the statutes in various states and run a comparison. Though the National Agriculture …
Looking Back: Two-Year Blogging Anniversary
Seems like just yesterday I was driving across South Dakota with my dog Taylor before starting Rincker Law, PLLC and this blog. It’s been a great ride so far. Big thank you to my friends, family, colleagues, contract attorneys/legal assistants, clients and blog readers for all your support. It’s been a busy year indeed. Over the last year, I am …
Animals & Agriculture Production Law & Policy Course
Over the next few months I will be participating in an online animals and agriculture production law and policy course for attorneys coordinated by Prof. Drew Kershen from the University of Oklahoma, College of Law. Prof. Linda Chezem, Elizabeth Rumley, Esq. & Rusty Rumley, Esq. will be co-teachers for the course. The weekly course will discuss important animal agriculture law/policy …
Next on the Bookshelf: Animal Factory
Animal Factory by David Kirby has been sitting on my Manhattan bookshelf for a few weeks. The weather is so nice in New York City now that I am yearning for some time in Central Park with a book. As the title suggests, the book is about “factory farming” and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (“CAFO’s”). As I have noted previously …
Interview with Dr. Temple Grandin
I have previously noted on this blog my admiration for Dr. Temple Grandin as an animal scientist. She truly is an extraordinary woman and has done so much for the livestock industry. Last night, I was reading National Cattlemen’s Beef Association‘s (“NCBA”)Beef Issues Quarterly for Fall 2010 and on Page 23 there is a great interview with Dr. Temple Grandin. …
Spring Cleaning: Animal Handling Procedures in Employee Handbooks
I have written blogs/articles and have spoken on livestock animal cruelty law in New York and my various recommendations for building a defense. Among them, I recommend that livestock producers have an employee handbook in place that enumerates recommended animal handling procedures and regularly train employees on those procedures. An employee handbook is not a contract but is instead a general …
Lots of Upcoming Events on the Horizon. . .
I’m very excited for a busy winter with agriculture conferences and events. I love being a New Yorker and living in NYC but it is always nice to get a break from the hustle and bustle and be around others that share my passions and interests. Here are a few agriculture events coming up that I will be attending: 1. …
Animal Law News
I was reviewing the November Update from the New York State Bar Association (“NYSBA”) Committee on Animals and the Law today and thought there were a few posts that I wanted to mention. 1. This article illustrates some cases in New York that would fall under felony animal cruelty (a.k.a. “Buster’s Law”). 2. Though I do not recommend that people …
Completed the Beef Quality Assurance Producer Certification Manual
As I noted in this blog a few months ago, I am currently completing the Beef Quality Assurance (“BQA”) training through the New York Beef Industry Council, Inc. Last weekend, I have reviewed the Producer Certification Manual for the Mid-Atlantic region (which includes Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Maine, New Jersey and Vermont). After reviewing the materials, I …
Back from Nebraska
Happy Columbus Day! I’m back from the great state of Nebraska where I attended American Agriculture Law Association (“AALA”) Conference. I listened in on the break-out sessions discussing Confined Animal Feeding Operations (“CAFO’s”), wind and solar farms, crop insurance, agriculture liens, and animal rights. Industry experts gave updates on a myriad of agriculture law issues including food law, environmental law, …
Heading to Nebraska for the AALA Conference
Today I am getting on an airplane from LGA and heading to Omaha, Nebraska for the American Agriculture Law Association‘s (“AALA”) 31st Annual Agriculture Law Symposium. I’m always excited to meet other food and agriculture attorneys. Nebraska is such a great agriculture state. I haven’t been to Omaha for a few years. This year’s conference has an excellent line-up: On …
Labor Day Links
I hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day! I spent my Labor Day having some good ol’ Texas BBQ and enjoying the street fair in Manhattan. Here are some links for your Labor Day reading: 1. I spent Sunday afternoon listening to the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Department of Justice public workshops. It is definitely worth a listen for livestock producers (particularly cattle folks). …