Purchase Power: Using Consumer Laws to Protect Animals
Friday, April 3, 2009
1:00-5:00 p.m.
Furman Hall, Lester Pollack Colloquium RoomSpeakers:
Jonathan Lovvorn, Humane Society of the United States
Bonnie Robson, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Cheryl Leahy, Compassion Over Killing
Sarah Conant, Humane Society of the United States
Moderator:
Delcianna Winders, Farm Sanctuary
In the United States, there are few laws protecting animals from abuse, particularly where mistreatment is the industry standard. In response, consumers who want to buy animal-friendly products rely on labels like “Animal Care Certified” and slogans about “happy cows” to decide what to buy. So when it turns out that “Animal Care Certified” is equivalent to battery cages, missing feathers, and burned beaks, those consumers turn to the courts for a remedy.
This workshop will examine whether consumer laws can be used successfully to protect animals and the people who love them. Practitioners will discuss recent and ongoing cases against behemoths such as the United Egg Producers and Amazon.com and will debate the future role of consumer protection laws in protecting animals. The talks will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Delcianna Winders from Farm Sanctuary.
Sponsored by the NYU Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, NYU Environmental Law Society, NYU Law Open Meditation and Yoga Association, NYU Health Society, New York Law School Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, Pace Law School Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, and Brooklyn Law School Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.
For more information or to RSVP, email nyu.saldf@gmail.com.
March 23rd 2009