By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

GREENVILLE, Mich. — Animals are not yet legal persons, but that all could change.

During the Montcalm County Farm Bureau annual meeting on Aug. 31, members unanimously approved a resolution that calls for Michigan Farm Bureau to oppose “legal standing” for animals.
What constitutes proper care for animals has become a debate recently, mostly by forces outside of the agriculture industry.

“Those inside the animal agriculture industry know of the years of experience and research that has gone into the generally accepted management practices used in the industry,” said Lisa Johnson, chairwoman of the county Farm Bureau’s Policy Development Committee. “We expect that farmers can and should follow these generally accepted management practices for the care of the animals under their control.

“Unfortunately, there are those who believe the GAAMPs (generally accepted agricultural and management practices) don’t go far enough in protecting animals,” she said.

“These animal liberation groups led by the Humane Society of America believe the best way to change these practices and cripple the animal industry is by gaining rights for animals, either through government regulations, law changes or court rulings that would grant ‘legal standing’ to animals.”

For years, the animal rights movement has been working to convince lawmakers to enact laws that would grant animals “legal standing” to drag their owners into court.

Animals with legal standing could institute, with the assistance of human lawyers, class action lawsuits mandating their care and feeding.

Trent Hilding, a Montcalm County Farm Bureau board member and local attorney who specializes in ag law, said this scenario is not far-fetched. “People are out there setting up and establishing trusts and then using these trusts to defend animal rights,” Hilding said. “It’s coming to Michigan.”

Johnson said the implications for agriculture could be devastating if “legal standing” is achieved.

“The damage to animal agriculture, animal research, zoos and hunting is mind-boggling to consider if animals were to receive ‘legal standing,’” Johnson said.

“Legal standing” for animals could potentially undermine the entire status of animals, elevating them from property to legal persons.
“It is important for everyone to be aware of what animals are raised for,” Hilding said.

The county’s resolution asks Michigan Farm Bureau to “vigorously oppose any bill that could potentially create laws or regulations that would convey ‘legal standing’ to any animal” and “to provide support to defendants of lawsuits seeking to confer ‘legal standing’ to animals.”