SPJ joins others to oppose "secret cow" provision in Farm Bill
The Society of Professional Journalists joined 27 other groups today in opposing a provision in the proposed farm bill (Sec. 10305 of the Livestock Title) that would criminalize the release or publication of cow directory information (breed, numbers, address, phone number of farmer) collected for the National Animal Identification System. The law would make it illegal to print or broadcast the information, even if gained from other sources (e.g., "Farmer Hans Vanderfeld of Lynden, Wash., said he has cared for his 200 holsteins since 1985..."). The NAIS tracks sick animals, including livestock infected with mad-cow disease. This provision would prevent the public from knowing if they have cows of death in their community. SPJ signed onto a letter written by OpenTheGovernment.org, and let journalists know about the proposal through a press release.