State of South Dakota

EIGHTY-SEVENTH SESSION
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 2012

174T0313

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1006

Introduced by: Representatives Fargen, Brunner, Conzet, Cronin, Dennert, Feickert, Gibson, Greenfield, Hawley, Hoffman, Hunhoff (Bernie), Iron Cloud III, Jones, Killer, Kirschman, Kloucek, Kopp, Lucas, Lust, Nelson (Stace), Olson (Betty), Rausch, Russell, Schaefer, Schrempp, Sigdestad, Street, Turbiville, Vanneman, Verchio, White, Wink, and Wismer and Senators Krebs, Begalka, Bradford, Brown, Frerichs, Gray, Hansen (Tom), Hundstad, Juhnke, Lederman, Maher, Nelson (Tom), Olson (Russell), Rampelberg, Rave, Rhoden, Schlekeway, Sutton, and Vehle

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, in opposition to certain actions by animal rights groups to undermine agricultural producers.

WHEREAS, South Dakota's rich history is primarily based on agriculture and agricultural products; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota's economy is largely based on agricultural goods and services; and

WHEREAS, agriculture has a twenty-one billion dollar impact on our state economy; and

WHEREAS, our rural heritage and future well-being depend primarily on a strong agricultural base; and

WHEREAS, animal agriculture is a critical component of South Dakota's economy and agricultural infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, farmers and ranchers understand the importance of humane treatment and care

of all farm animals; and

WHEREAS, misleading information has negatively impacted the agriculture industry; and

WHEREAS, extreme animal rights organizations pose a significant risk to agricultural producers and the agricultural community in South Dakota and in the nation as a whole:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Eighty-seventh Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, opposes any attempt for any ballot initiative or acts by the Humane Society of the United States, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and other animal rights groups that would undermine the livelihood of agricultural producers.