Ag-Gag Laws
Ag-Gag laws seek to “gag” would-be whistleblowers and undercover activists by punishing them for recording footage of what goes on in animal agriculture.
As the name suggests, Ag-Gag laws seek to “gag” would-be whistleblowers and undercover activists by punishing them for recording footage of what goes on in animal agriculture. They were originally designed to prevent the public from learning about animal cruelty.
Stop Ag-Gag Laws
Undercover investigations and whistleblowers have exposed some of the worst aspects of factory farming, but Ag-Gag laws punish people who speak out about cruelty in animal agriculture. Voice your opposition.
More recently, as is the case in North Carolina and Arkansas, states are passing laws which not only criminalize whistleblowing in agricultural facilities but any private business, including hospitals, elder care facilities, veteran care facilities, and schools.
Why Are Ag-Gag Laws Harmful?
The ability to investigate, document, and publicize corporate agriculture’s abuses is imperative both to the well-being of animals across the nation—and to our own health and safety.
Factory farms want to keep their cruel practices hidden from the public, but the public deserves the truth about the billions of animals suffering on industrial farms and whether laws are being broken, jeopardizing food safety, workers’ rights, and environmental standards.
Undercover investigations have revealed severe animal abuse on factory farms — animals beaten, kicked, maimed and thrown. These investigations have also exposed standard industry practices like the confinement of pregnant and nursing pigs in crates too small for them to turn around, the removal of horns and tails from animals without anesthesia, and sick and downed cows dragged on the ground before they are slaughtered.
The Latest About Ag-Gag Laws
U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Review North Carolina Ag-Gag Law
Fourth Circuit Enjoins North Carolina Ag-Gag Law
Court Strikes Down Iowa Recording Ban Ag-Gag Law
Victory for Animals and Free Speech as U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Review Kansas Ag-Gag Law
See a timeline of key dates in the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s opposition to Ag-Gag laws.
Related News
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Kansas: Urge Lawmakers to Oppose Unconstitutional Ag-Gag
The Kansas legislature is considering a harmful bill, H.B. 2816, that would stop whistleblowers and animal advocates from exposing animal cruelty by criminalizing undercover investigations at animal agriculture facilities such as puppy mills, factory farms, and slaughterhouses. -
Illinois: Help Stop Cruel Mink Fur Farming
This bill would phase out mink farming in Illinois until it’s fully banned in January 2025. -
Kentucky: Ask your state representative to oppose S.B. 16 today!
The Kentucky legislature is considering a harmful bill which would stop whistleblowers and undercover investigators from exposing animal cruelty by criminalizing the capturing and sharing of video and photos at factory farms and slaughterhouses.
Related Cases
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Challenging Kansas’s Ag-Gag Law
Animal Legal Defense Fund et. al. v. Kelly et. al.
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Challenging Iowa’s Ag-Gag Law
Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Kimberly K. Reynolds
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Challenging North Carolina’s Ag-Gag Law
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals v Roy Cooper - Lawsuit filed in 2016
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