The future of animal agriculture and the security of our food supply continues to be targeted by animal rights extremist organizations. Two expert panels at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2022 Stakeholders Summit will discuss current trends in activist tactics, legislative initiatives and legal cases and provide recommendations to secure the animal agriculture community against potential threats. Summit registration is open through May 6 at bit.ly/AAA22Summit.
“Animal rights extremism is nothing new, but the tactics used by these organizations continue to evolve in attempts to further their agenda of removing meat, milk, poultry and eggs from grocery store shelves and dinner tables–ultimately, eliminating consumer choice,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president, strategic engagement and incoming president and CEO.
"It’s imperative for the farm and food communities to be informed of and be ready for potential threats they could be exposed to as we all come together to safeguard our future. I’m honored to be able to bring the Alliance’s expertise and insights into activism to this important discussion alongside the other experts and panelists.”
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, animal rights extremists have continued to pose a significant threat to food security as they have targeted farms, processing facilities, grocery stores, restaurants, input suppliers and others involved in the supply chain working to provide consumers with safe, affordable, accessible meat, poultry, dairy and eggs. In the session, “Be Ready to Secure the Future of Animal Ag: Understanding Activist Threats,” expert panelists will provide an update on evolving activist threats, including cyber activism, supply chain disruptions and insider threats. Speakers will also provide recommendations for how attendees can be informed and ready for activist tactics by implementing farm security and crisis planning measures. Panelists include:
- Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Vice President, Strategic Engagement, Animal Agriculture Alliance
- Rebecca Morgan, Deputy Assistant Director, NCSC and Deputy Director National Insider Threat Task Force, Office of the Director of National Intelligence
- Andrew Rose, Strategic Advisor and Consultant
The uncertainty around the implementation of California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3 continues on, causing a new set of legal and logistical challenges for the agriculture community. Voters in state elections are setting de facto federal standards for how livestock and poultry can be raised, while federal courts appear to be shifting in how they are handling these laws that extend well beyond the state’s borders.
In 2021, there were ballot initiative pushes in Colorado and Oregon to criminalize common animal care practices, including artificial insemination, birthing assistance, and spaying and neutering. Additionally, a variety of courts have considered the constitutionality of farm protection laws across the U.S. With so many legal and legislative issues on the docket, it’s critical for the animal agriculture community to stay informed and be ready. During the session “Safeguarding the Future: An Update on Legal and Legislative Issues,” legal experts will provide updates on the latest developments in these areas and other trends, leaving attendees with the insights they need to safeguard the future of their business. Speakers include:
- John Dillard, Principal, OFW Law
- Brianna Schroeder, Partner, Janzen Schroeder Agricultural Law LLC
The Alliance’s annual summit brings together thought leaders in the agriculture and food communities to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2022 event, themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here,” will be held May 11-12 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Pre-Summit webinar series began on April 6 and continues each Wednesday leading up to the main event. In-person and virtual attendance options are both available.
Refer a friend to attend the summit and you could both win $100. If you refer a friend to attend the 2022 Summit who has never attended a previous summit, and they list your name as the person who recommended them when they register for the event, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card. Each referral will count as one entry, and there is no limit on the number of entries for referrers. All registrations for the in-person event with a referral listed made until online registration closes on May 6 will be entered. Both the referrer and the person referred must be registered to claim the gift card.
Be sure to check the summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA22 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit, please contact [email protected] or call (703) 562-5160.
Get involved:
Show your support for the Alliance’s outreach efforts by becoming an official Summit sponsor today. For 2022 sponsorship opportunities, please visit animalagalliance.org/initiatives/stakeholders-summit/. For more information, contact Casey Kinler at [email protected].
Thank you to our 2022 Summit sponsors: Watt Global Media, Farm Journal, Meatingplace, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Board, Tyson Foods Inc., American Feed Industry Association, United Soybean Board, Elanco, Mountaire Farms, United Egg Producers, Dairy MAX, Farm Credit, The Partnership, Adisseo, Cobb Vantress, Inc., Protect the Harvest, Progressive Dairy, Clean Fuels Alliance America, Kemin, American Farm Bureau Federation, Empirical, American Veal Association, National Chicken Council, Trans Ova Genetics, Vivayic, Agri Beef, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Live Oak Bank, North Carolina Farm Bureau and Eggland’s Best.
The Alliance also thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Merck Animal Health, C.O.nxt, Diamond V, Genus PLC – PIC/ABS, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America, LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, JBS, Kanas Soybean Commission, Midwest Dairy, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Provimi North America, Inc. and Seaboard Foods.
