Ag-Gag Bills Halt Undercover Farm Investigations

Undercover food-industry recordings are a driving force for regulation changes through its ability to incite public outcry, but “ag-gag” legislature is threatening to put a stop to the investigative practices. Laws were enacted in five states last year that penalized undercover filming, which has led animal advocate groups to cease their investigations in those areas, reports ABC News, and similar laws have been introduced in New Hampshire, Indiana, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Arkansas. Supporters of the ag-gag lobbying efforts claim that the investigations implement fraudulent methods to gain access to the farms, but opponents argue that these laws are a move to shield the public from the cruel reality of factory farms.